Gorran movement in power

By Mufid Abdulla:

KDP leader & KRG president Masud Barzani with Gorran leader Nawshirwan Mustafa

KDP leader & KRG president Masud Barzani with Gorran leader Nawshirwan Mustafa

17th April proved an unforgettable day for the Gorran leadership when, after a bumpy road of almost six months of negotiations, they succeeded in persuading the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to share the government with them. The KDP and the Gorran movement have reached an historic agreement on forming a new government and working together to build a strong partnership. Gorran’s dream has come true and now it can control two particularly delicate ministries in the new cabinet. The ministries of peshmarga and finance have not properly functioned in the past and it remains to be seen what the new Gorran ministers can accomplish.

The agreement has been published in both the KDP and Gorran media. How times have changed. When I was in Erbil in 2009, the KDP was treating Gorran followers like second or third class citizens or even as people not belonging to this nation. The KDP has also reached a similar agreement with the Islamic League. However, its previous governmental partner, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has been side-lined, mainly because it is too preoccupied with internal feuds. Observers have concluded that the KDP became reluctant to invite the PUK to the party because the PUK shows no tangible signs of recovery six months after its elections setback. The PUK is paralysed by division. The members believe their leaders have not told them the truth about the real state of PUK founder Jalal Talabani’s health. Barham Salih, former deputy leader of the PUK, presciently warned of the disastrous consequences of the PUK’s internal leadership splits.

The people of the south of Kurdistan are very unhappy at the two old ruling parties’ combined record over the last two decades. They wanted change and they have achieved it. This new agreement will boost Gorran’s electoral support. Gorran is rallying its members and telling its supporters that, “Your vote has not been wasted, with your help Gorran has come to power today”. Politically this a big achievement for the Gorran movement, just 10 days before voting for seats in the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad. The Gorran movement is now singing not just from Suli, but also from Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan. We shouldn’t underestimate the impact of these developments, especially since the KDP has turned its back on its long-time ally, the PUK. But things will only start to really change if Gorran and the KDP want things to change.

One Response to Gorran movement in power
  1. kurd
    April 19, 2014 | 18:45

    What are you waiting from Gorran and why are you so happy Mr. Mufid? As a free writer, you should have criticized Nawshirwan through this strategic error and participating in a corrupted government… finally, I was so right: Nawshirwan Mustafa never abolishes a power that he has been one his founders!

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