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Sunday November 1, 2009 Abdullah's Withdrawal from the Runoff Election in Afghanistan Michael E. O'Hanlon, October 31, 2009 If as reported Mr. Abdullah, who polled second behind President Karzai in Afghanistan’s August 20 presidential election and as such was slated to run against him in a two-man runoff November 7, pulls out of the race, it will be a major mistake. Karzai’s reelection will then be generally legitimate despite Abdullah’s protestations, though the legitimacy he gains from the process will be somewhat tainted by Abdullah’s decision. But the latter amounts more to a concession than a principled stand. While Karzai has many other things to do to gain legitimacy, mostly in the area of governance, he will have done enough to be seen as the rightfully reelected president of the country. Comments (1)
Sunday November 1, 2009
Michael E. O'Hanlon, October 31, 2009
If as reported Mr. Abdullah, who polled second behind President Karzai in Afghanistan’s August 20 presidential election and as such was slated to run against him in a two-man runoff November 7, pulls out of the race, it will be a major mistake. Karzai’s reelection will then be generally legitimate despite Abdullah’s protestations, though the legitimacy he gains from the process will be somewhat tainted by Abdullah’s decision. But the latter amounts more to a concession than a principled stand. While Karzai has many other things to do to gain legitimacy, mostly in the area of governance, he will have done enough to be seen as the rightfully reelected president of the country.
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