Gorran accuses KDP of breaching agreement, failing to share power

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Seven months since the creation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s new cabinet, the Change Movement (Gorran) has accused the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of failing to honor an agreement on the distribution of powers.

The KDP and Gorran signed a deal on government formation on February 18, 2019, which focused on a significant reform bill and on a share of government posts that reflected Gorran’s proportion of seats in the Kurdistan parliament. 

The Kurdistan Region held its last parliamentary election on September 30, 2018. The KDP won 45 seats, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) 21, and Gorran 12 in the 111-seat legislature.

In reflection of its share of seats, Gorran has demanded a 12 percent share in each ministry and a 12 percent share of posts in the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

A high-ranking Gorran delegation could meet their KDP counterparts as early as this week to demand implementation of the bargain.

“Some essential points contained in our government agreement have not yet been implemented by the KDP,” Amir Haji Kemal, a member of the Change Movement General Assembly, told Rudaw on Monday. 

“The unimplemented points include matters related to reform, natural resources, border, domestic revenues, transparency, what we sell and how do we spend money, and some other relevant things.”

Gorran has four ministerial posts in the new government including Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

“The minister of finance should be given more authority [by the prime minister] to exercise his roles in order to help alleviate our concerns with respect to the issue of transparency,” Kemal added.

Gorran’s Executive Body – the party’s highest authority – has ordered its officials to “seriously engage in talks with the KDP”.

“For filling in the Gorran-designated government posts, the KDP is not being serious with us,” he said.

The Change Movement National Assembly gathered on January 31 and agreed to send the delegation.

“In our meeting with the KDP, we will put forth our reservations and stance,” Adnan Osman, head of the National Assembly, told Rudaw. 

“Delaying this process will not bolster Gorran from engaging in the process of carrying out reform in the Kurdistan Region,” he added.

A KDP official has sought to ease tensions with his party’s Gorran partners, insisting the agreement would be honored. 

“The agreements we have reached with the Change Movement will be implemented,” Arif Rushdi, an adviser to the KDP politburo, told Rudaw. 

“We have no problems with implementing the deals and they will be given their shares as we agreed on.”

Rushdi said his party is happy to welcome the Gorran delegation.

The KDP has repeatedly said that filling the remaining government posts requires a trilateral meeting between the KDP, PUK, and Gorran.

The PUK has shown little interest in bolstering the position its Gorran rival.

“Let them hold their own talks. Gorran’s government shares have nothing to do with the PUK,” said Mustafa Chawrash, the interim head of the PUK General Leadership Council.

A top Gorran official who spoke to Rudaw on condition of anonymity said his party is demanding four deputy ministers, 23 advisers across the government and presidency, 23 general managers, and chief-of-staff of the Peshmerga Ministry.

The official rejected claims that Gorran would withdraw from the government if deals with the KDP are not implemented.

“We will stay for another six months,” he said.

“After this period of time, we will decide to stay or withdraw.”