By Hamma Mirwaisi: A Kurdish politician from South Kurdistan wanted, as one of its founders, to reform his political party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). However, he was forced out by the warlord Jalal Talabani and then formed his own party – Gorran, the Change Movement – like many other Kurdish politicians, all forming…
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Category Archives: KDP
Nawshirwan Mustafa’s first regional visit
By Kamal Chomani: Nawshirwan Mustafa’s first official regional visit, choosing Iran as his first destination, underlines a critical period in Kurdish and Iraqi politics. Although the Change Movement had already revealed the agenda of this visit, it can be considered as the beginning of change to some political formulas inside Iraq. The red-carpet treatment given…
The inheritance of power in Kurdistan…From ancestors to offspring
By Kamal Chomani: In this society, if you are not born into a family of Kurdish leaders, you will not have any chance at all to get into high positions in political and government fields, no matter how skillful and knowledgeable you are. In Southern Kurdistan, Kurdish democracy has not forgotten about tribal customs. Although…
Kurdish history: Leaders’ greed trumps nationalism
By Michael Rubin: June 1 marked the 37th anniversary of the founding of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). While Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masud Barzani graciously congratulated PUK leader Talabani, bad blood between the two families and their parties is long, deep, and persistent. The schism predates the PUK’s birth; historian David McDowall, whose…
Opposition warns ruling parties on continued local elections delay
The three opposition parties held a meeting today in Sulaymani over the issue of delayed local elections to councils in the cities and towns of Kurdistan. The original date for the local council elections was January 30 2009: Three years have passed but still no new date has been set. Bookmark on Delicious Recommend on Facebook…
The secret assassination of former KDP leader Fakhir Mergasuri
Interview with Mirriam Mergasuri, widow of Fakhir Mergasuri By Lvinexpress.com* (Translated by The Kurdistan Tribune): Fakhir Mergasuri, one of the leaders of the KDP, had a big role in the KDP leadership and was responsible for branch 4 of the KDP in Slemani (Sulaymani) as well as the branch of Kirkuk. Fakhir Mergasuri is well-known for…
Kurdish Spring! Is it coming?
By Kurd Khamkhoor: A lot has changed in the political and social landscape of southern Kurdistan over the past twenty years, but more has changed in the last two years than those twenty years combined. Before getting to the subject in hand, let’s make a quick refreshing trip down memory lane. After the Kurdish uprising…
I’m Kurdish, if I’m not political then what am I?
By Veene Sulaivany: It goes without saying that, as Kurds, we are a highly politicized people. What I mean by this is, we are born into politics and become married to it at a very young age. How can we not be this way? And, in particular, how can those who have been and continue…
KDP and PUK – end of the love affair?
By Mufid Abdulla: While the president of Kurdistan and his party pursues its disputes with Baghdad – over oil revenues, the budget, Kirkuk and the idea, at least, of a Kurdish state – the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP’s) strategic partner, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), is muted and appears unconcerned about these vital issues….
Obstacle to Kurdistan’s development: the so-called Strategic Agreement
By Kamal Chomani: The so-called Strategic Agreement between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has become the main obstacle to a thriving Kurdish democracy. It has almost killed all the political and ideological differences between the two ruling parties. It has also silenced all the voices within the parties…
Kurdistan Region still without an active government
News and Comment by The Kurdistan Tribune: The Kurdistan Region is still without an active government since the resignation of Dr Barham Saleh, former prime minster of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). In line with their strategic agreement, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) are sharing power in the…
KDP sees reform as a political game
By Mufid Abdulla: Since the birth of the Gorran movement, with its purpose of political reform and campaigning against corruption, the two ruling parties have been unable to rest, particularly the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Gorran’s victory in July 2009 marked a new chapter in Kurdish history with the movement winning 25 seats in a…
