Saudi Arabia's Local Elections Delayed for 2-years

Saudi Arabia has experimented with the idea of an electoral democracy, yet is has experienced another setback. The Royal Family has decided to push back the local council elections for another two years. King Abdullah, leader of the council of ministers made this decision in a positive way, stating that the two years in needed to establish new law and “expand the participation of citizens in the management of local affairs.”
In 2003 when the government announced the permission of council elections, they were billed in hopes to dilute this conservative nation and make it more "open system." Prince Abdullah, the current king, included the bills in another agenda where they were discussed in conferences in which they discussed national issues.
The general public thinks the whole process and postponement of an electoral democracy is a failure. "King Abdullah is popular and has taken what are considered bold moves to try to speed reconciliation between modernity and his ultra-religious, traditional nation. He has ousted from power some major conservative figures, and he appointed the first female deputy minister. While he has absolute authority, he still must rule by consensus within the family, and there are forces that oppose his actions."
The decisions the King has made have also secured the family's "grip on power."

Citation: THE NEW YORK TIMES. "Middle East: Saudi's Local Elections Delayed for Two Years."http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/world/middleeast/20saudi.html?_r=1 (accessed June 5th, 2009)