.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - After four years of a costly war with ISIS, an economic collapse, and domestic political rivalries, all eyes are now on the next parliament to turn a new page and be ready for any challenges that may lie ahead.
The parliament of Kurdistan has extensive control over the Region’s economy, security, oil, trade, infrastructure, education, and health. Laws passed here are given priority over legislation that comes out of Baghdad. And the people who sit in the legislature have the authority to amend Iraqi laws that fall outside of the exclusive powers of the federal government. There’s a lot of power at stake here.
The outgoing parliament was rocked by controversy throughout its tenure. It was shut down for two years after a row between the KDP and Gorran. It reconvened for the purpose of authorizing the independence referendum last year.
Now, parties promise to reinvent the parliament.
Gorran, which advocates for abolishing the presidential system in favour of a strong parliament, is campaigning with the slogan ‘We’ll continue until we change it.’
That will take time, acknowledged Gorran candidate Karwan Hashim, but “we won’t give until we’ve achieved grassroots change in Kurdistan.”
An active parliament here puts Erbil in a strong position when dealing with the central government in Baghdad.
“The main priority for the KDP is Kurdistan’s sovereignty and dignity,” said KDP’s Hemin Hawrami. “The KDP is a party that encompasses all of Kurdistan, it rejects regionalism and has its roots among the people and history and therefore it will live on forever.”
Other parties speak of people’s grievances and promise jobs and better public services.
“I hear from people every day that they’re tired of political and social instability. That they’re unhappy that despite our rich region, unemployment and poverty have increased, particularly among the youth,” said PUK candidate Qubad Talabani.
“Dear voter, this election is a chance to bring about a life that you deserve,” he said.
On September 30, voters in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq will go to the polls to elect their fifth regional parliament.
The parliament of Kurdistan has extensive control over the Region’s economy, security, oil, trade, infrastructure, education, and health. Laws passed here are given priority over legislation that comes out of Baghdad. And the people who sit in the legislature have the authority to amend Iraqi laws that fall outside of the exclusive powers of the federal government. There’s a lot of power at stake here.
The outgoing parliament was rocked by controversy throughout its tenure. It was shut down for two years after a row between the KDP and Gorran. It reconvened for the purpose of authorizing the independence referendum last year.
Now, parties promise to reinvent the parliament.
Gorran, which advocates for abolishing the presidential system in favour of a strong parliament, is campaigning with the slogan ‘We’ll continue until we change it.’
That will take time, acknowledged Gorran candidate Karwan Hashim, but “we won’t give until we’ve achieved grassroots change in Kurdistan.”
An active parliament here puts Erbil in a strong position when dealing with the central government in Baghdad.
“The main priority for the KDP is Kurdistan’s sovereignty and dignity,” said KDP’s Hemin Hawrami. “The KDP is a party that encompasses all of Kurdistan, it rejects regionalism and has its roots among the people and history and therefore it will live on forever.”
Other parties speak of people’s grievances and promise jobs and better public services.
“I hear from people every day that they’re tired of political and social instability. That they’re unhappy that despite our rich region, unemployment and poverty have increased, particularly among the youth,” said PUK candidate Qubad Talabani.
“Dear voter, this election is a chance to bring about a life that you deserve,” he said.
On September 30, voters in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq will go to the polls to elect their fifth regional parliament.
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment