But the voting today was far from a model of Western-style democracy.
China has not claimed to be a Western-style democracy.
China is not embracing Western-style democracy, even in theory.
Others yearn for Western-style democracy and the rule of law.
At independence in 1961, it seemed that Western-style democracy would work.
We could never accept Western-style democracy - simply because it is Western.
A major obstacle to creating a Western-style democracy here is expected to be the carrying out of a national census.
But it is not so easy to convince people with little concept of minority rights that a Western-style democracy will work for them.
But it remains to be seen how far Iraq will ultimately travel toward true Western-style democracy.
The first is the two capitals, where protest sentiments are high and Western-style democracy remains popular.