ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The two top winners of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan’s parliamentary polls in September – which may be forced into an uneasy partnership government – have began exchanging complaints and expressions of distrust.
The opposition Change Movement (Gorran), which beat rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan at the polls – particularly in Sulaimani province where both are strong – has complained of exclusion in the local government and warned it will no longer stand for it.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which retained its position as the strongest party at the polls, has said it does not trust a partnership with Gorran in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) because the party could walk out of government.
“We are the major force in the city but instead of handing us over the governorate of Sulaimani, our members are being expelled from its administration,” Gorran leader Nawshirwan Mustafa told a meeting of party members in Sulaimani’s city council and regional administration.
In remarks that senior Gorran members said were a warning to the KDP and PUK, Mustafa said his party would no longer accept being treated this way in Sulaimani. “We are excluded and marginalized,” he complained.
The Kurdistan Region has not held provincial elections since 2005, because they have been constantly delayed.
A KDP leadership member said the party does not trust Gorran because it may accept a partnership in the government, but continue to act as the opposition.
“We are not sure about Gorran; there is no guarantee that they will not withdraw from the government” before the four-year term is over, the KDP official said.
Safin Malaqara, a senior Gorran member, confirmed the KDP’s fears. “If we participate in the government and see that it does not abide by the program we will withdraw,” he said.
But Shoresh Haji disagreed with his fellow Gorran colleague. “We can guarantee that we will not withdraw from the government if we participated,” Haji said.
Horse trading between the Kurdish political parties is still in its initial stages. The PUK’s defeat and Gorran’s upper hand has changed the political landscape of Kurdistan, with the path to the formation of the next government riddled with hurdles.
Mustafa’s remarks were a wake-up call for the PUK, which came third at the polls and counts Sulaimani as its stronghold.
The PUK warned of any attempts to disturb peace in Sulaimani. “We will take legal measures against any attempts to cause trouble and disturb the calm of the city,” the PUK said in a statement. It also confirmed its support for provincial elections.
A PUK leadership member, speaking to Rudaw on condition of anonymity, said that Mustafa’s remarks were “very dangerous.” He said that Gorran must be in the next government in the interests of stability and peace.
“PUK has less popular support and Gorran is capable of doing everything,” he said.
In addition to street support, Gorran’s supporters are in security positions, the Peshmarga forces and even within PUK organizations, he noted. “These are all grave threats to the PUK,” he added.
In the September 21 polls for the 111-seat Kurdish legislature, KDP came first with 38 seats, Gorran won 24 and PUK gained only 18.
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