ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Influential lawmakers within the New Generation party issued a public statement accusing the party’s leadership of drifting away from their anti-establishment ideals. “The New Generation has been shifted from a political movement different from the dominant political model to a political band in which all of its institutions and the important decision-making bodies have been marginalized,” read the statement from the party’s Supreme Council and two prominent members of the Iraqi parliament, Rabun Maroof and Sarkawt Shamsulddin. The two MPs published the statement on their Facebook pages Sunday evening. New Generation “no longer enjoys collective decision making," they stated. New Generation shook up Kurdistan Region’s political scene last year. The party was established by Sulaimani businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir to offer voters a fresh alternative to the traditional ruling parties and leaders who have had a tight grip on power for decades. Its message resonated with the people and the party exceeded expectations by winning four seats in the Iraqi parliament and eight in the Kurdistan Region parliament. Last month, Abdulwahid sparked a discussion about government accountability when he announced he would personally fix a flooded road in Smaquli, lighting a fire under the feet of the government. On April 9, the anniversary of the end of Saddam Hussein’s rule, Abdulwahid tweeted: “16 years ago the era of a tyrant ended but the so-called opposition leaders failed to build a stable, democratic Iraq. It is up to my generation to build something new where Iraqis from all walks of life enjoy peace and prosperity. I am dedicated to that vision.” Maroof and Shamsulddin, however, accused the party leadership of getting “involved in business and family to the extent that it is difficult to separate.” They promised they will continue to work based on the foundations the party was built on and will not let “the New Generation to become another failed political example and a tool of personal interests and hobbies." Hundreds of people have commented on the MPs Facebook posts, most saying the news is not a surprise, that Abdulwahid's primary interests are his business concerns. Neither the party nor its leader has immediately responded.
