Iraqi Kurdistan Elections Could Be Turning Point

The political situation in Kurdistan needs a radical reform and cannot continue as is right now. People’s demands have not been met. In this regard, the KDP wants some reforms to prevent any new waves of protests that might explode because of people's strong anger, especially that of the new generation.

An opposition cabinet

The three opposition parties are participating in the elections in the hope of an election win. It is not impossible to win, but it will not be easy either.

People's dissatisfaction is felt everywhere and in every part of society, and as a result the new generation is participating in the elections. The opposition parties are trying to increase their votes by playing into the fact that the KDP and PUK have not made any radical changes, the political crises still exist in Kurdistan and corruption has not been tackled.

This last scenario will be one of a coalition government that includes all political parties that can win a parliamentary seat. This is supported by the two ruling parties, but it is far from certain as the opposition parties do not want Iraqi Kurdistan to be without an opposition. Meanwhile, it is difficult for the political parties to agree on a distribution of power and changes in the system.

If the legislative elections on Sept. 21 don’t turn out to be a turning point in Iraqi Kurdistan's politics — meeting the people’s demands as well as the demands of the opposition groups to have honest and democratic elections — the region's destiny will be unclear, as the society’s collected rage is ready to explode.

Kamal Chomani is a Kurdish journalist writing on the political affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government and covering Kurdish politics in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey for leading impartial Kurdish media outlets. Chomani has had a regular column for The Kurdistan Tribune since 2010. On Twitter: @KamalChomani