An acrimonious battle temporarily stops between bosses and workers in Iraq's southern oil sector while elections dominate Iraq and unions call for the end of Maliki's rule.
Fears of unrest grow as politicians, observers and insiders see Shia-dominated south unrest as the controversy over the March 7 vote recount grows.
Basra province alleges that Kuwaiti oil development could sap Iraqi resources, and calls for clarification of control of joint wells
A bigger slice of the oil revenues pie and better security have sold a second Maliki term to the people of Basra.
OPEC quota and market economics reasons Iraq may tell foreign oil firms to reduce production below contracted plateau.
Iraq's Kurds still pegged for kingmaker status but demands for oil autonomy will be weakened by internal competition and challenges from resurgent Sunni voters.
Leaders in Kirkuk, Iraq's second largest oil producing province, cautiously optimistic about plan to increase redistribution of wealth to locals.
In the infancy of Iraq's next government, voters appeared to have picked current prime minister Maliki and former premier Allawi.
Election Day at a polling center in the heart of Baghdad's dangerous Sunni neighborhood of Adhamiya reveals telling currents.
Any of these candidates for the oil portfolio in the next government have a massive task in reconstruction and expansion that will make or break the country.
