Nawshirwan Mustafa hails ‘new era’ in south Kurdistan

By Mufid Abdulla:

Nawshirwan Mustafa

Nawshirwan Mustafa

Gorran leader Nawshirwan Mustafa today hailed the start of a “new era”  in south Kurdistan’s politics, after the electoral high commission confirmed on TV 95% of the parliamentary election results, showing that Nawshirwan’s opposition party has made a stunning leap forward. Gorran is now the second biggest political force, with 446,000 votes compared to the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP’s) 719,000 votes. Gorran has pushed the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) – which has shared the spoils of power with the KDP – into third place, with 323,000 votes.

For many Kurdistanis, although the KDP came first, Gorran is the real winner in this election. They see the 21/9 vote as a landmark election that will forever change the course of the country’s history. Speaking today on the phone to many Gorran supporters who were gathered outside the party’s headquarters in Suli, they all talked to me in terms of this being a triumph of the people. What is fundamentally important is not how many seats were won by each party, but rather that the election process – despite all the vote rigging – was successful.  The people have participated in a democratic process. Despite all the claims and complaints by different groups, this vote is seen as perhaps the freest in the history of this nation of five million people which endured oppressive rule by Saddam for 25 years.

Gorran’s success means a lot to so many people in Kurdistan and there is much excitement at this manifestation of people’s power. It is also a troubling moment for the two ruling parties as this is not the way they wanted things to go. Gorran has campaigned against institutional corruption and this result threatens to derail their highly profitable ‘Strategic Agreement’. For this reason some observers feared that the ruling parties might challenge the results and deploy the military to protect their privileges.  However, according to my sources, Gorran is ready for intensive negotiations with the KDP with a view to the opposition party joining the government on the basis of a commitment to constitutional reforms – which should include the exclusion of party militias from the functions of the state.

Gorran is happy with these results but this is just the beginning. Many supporters are hoping that Gorran can use its new, powerful position to secure great changes in Kurdistan.

Copyright © 2013 Kurdistantribune.com

7 Responses to Nawshirwan Mustafa hails ‘new era’ in south Kurdistan
  1. BAQI BARZANI
    September 28, 2013 | 23:57

    We hold a number of senior US GOV officials in State Department, Congress and the US President and commander-in-chief of US Armed Forces ethically ( Violation of Army ethics and values) and constitutionally accountable for intentionally turning a blind eye to corruption and propping up dictator in South Kurdistan.
    My dear fellow citizens: The whole election scenario was fabricated and the outcomes were predicted just similar to the annulled presidential elections. Erdogan’s AKP is equally accomplice in corruption. (http://www.todayszaman.com/news-327505-krg-elections-opportunity-for-turkey-to-expand-its-influence-in-region.html ) Business as usual and illicit oil smuggling has resumed once again following assurances from Barzanis allies. We have lost faith in true American Values (Freedom Speech, Democracy, Human Rights and Free elections).
    Our economy is monopolized and our politics is controlled by foreigners. While S.Kurdistan is thick with oil rich, the vast majority of our people are suffering and subsisting under poverty line. Kurdish politics and leadership is mere deception. Kurdish liberation movements are no global capitalists.
    We are positive president Barzani will extend his term once more after completing his 2 terms.

    The future direction of South Kurdistan is in your hands! So if you are content with the status quo, let it remain so. If not voice your objections.
    President Obamas actions/decisions do not reflect the honest position of US Army.

    BAQI BARZANI
    Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran
    KIM- USA

  2. Suleiyman
    September 29, 2013 | 03:01

    Great results. Can someone explain how Goran got the same number of seats this time as it did in 2008 (around 23-24) and still this means a huge victory? I am trying to understand the detailed logistics that’s all. Congratulations to everyone!

  3. Suleiyman
    September 29, 2013 | 11:34

    Baqi at it again. The hidden spokesperson for right wing conservatives in DC in Kurdistan relations. You come out now and attack the KRG when a few months ago you indicated no revolution is needed because things were better, when just a month earlier you had declared a revolution?
    Then, what does Obama have to do with this? And Erdogan?

    Let’s try and put the picture together: Baqi Barzani is a youngster from DC who holds an agenda that is anti Obama, anti Erdogan, and flip flopping between anti and pro KDP. Guess who he gets paid by??

  4. US Patriot
    September 29, 2013 | 13:43

    President Obama has failed to fulfill the promises he made prior to election. The US overall economy has remained unimproved, if not exacerbated. Some 800,000 skilled federal workers will be affected by possible government shutdown soon. Is the US economy paralyzed to that extend that it is unable to maintain those positions , or is the Government concealing facts from public and misleading its citizens? Syrian crisis has lingered more than 2 years which could be resolved in 2 weeks militarily. Obama making peace with with Rouhani (Islamic state with nuclear ambitions and the terrorist IRGC). China, India and Russia’s economy, three US rivals, is exponentially booming which is a treat to US national security. Erdogan AKP-leaning party is pursuing neo-ottoman ambitions and in bed with dictator Barzani, the president of Kurdistan Regional Government. America is on the decline. To confront such feasible future superpowers, the US must encourage separatist movements in Tibet, Kashmir and Chechnya. And To salvage the Christian US, the US Armed Forces need to intervene to bring about some changes.

  5. Honest
    September 29, 2013 | 17:03

    Suleiyman,

    Who Baqi get paid by? MMM! The same tactics employed by KDP sympathizers ( Accusations against KDP opponents, anti-KRG, anti-Kurd, agents, insulting KDP’s sanctity,etc). They are old-fashioned my friend. Our nation has woken up from hibernation. Every thing we stated and published was with sufficient evidence.

    Fits of all, we get paid by no one and work for/with no one. We will only work with Kurdish political parties as long as it serves the interests of our nation. We can work for any US Governmnet institutions if we wish. We never did and will never do so. We prefer a 10$ an hour job. You are welcome to visit my home and see where I live. You are welcome to investigate my assets any time.

    We have never been anti-KRG. We love Kurdistan and our goal is only independence. We have succeeded to prevent corruption to some extend by exposing it to the whole world. We have contributed to promotion of democracy, Human Rights and discontinuing the tribal, totalitarian rule in Kurdistan.

    We are not seeking power or fame. We will perpetually condemn wrong and advocate the truth.

    We are cognizant that our oil, let me repeat again, our oil, and our national wealth is being looted by a few in staed of spending it on our deserving people. Elections were manipulated by neighboring states to serve their interests.

    Our position has remained the same and do our words and actions.

    Thanks

  6. Suleiyman
    September 30, 2013 | 11:57

    Three different posters I suspect all to be Baqi Barzani as he has done it before. Secondly, why are we talking about Obama and Iran in an article that discussed Kurdistan elections.

    Finally, I am still waiting for Baqi for 3 months to tell me what happened to the Kurdish revolution???? B

  7. Bakhtiar
    September 30, 2013 | 18:57

    Baqi,
    You constantly place the blame on President Barzani. He is doing is best. The ” Great Satan and occupation Forces” are behind the whole scene. Like President Barzani stated,even if there are 100,000 US Forces in Kurdistan, its no use. Kurds must stand on their own feet.
    Its time for Americans to warp up their luggage and leave us alone. They are no more welcome.

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