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Turkmen, one of the Region’s most significant minority groups, make up a large proportion of Erbil’s population. Eight Turkmen parties are competing for five quota seats in the Region’s parliamentary election.
However, Turkmen voters who spoke to Rudaw say they are disappointed by the record of their representatives and frustrated by their political divisions.
Turkmen also seem to be wary of speaking to Kurdish media. Of the 15 people approached by Rudaw for comment on their voting intensions, just three were willing to share their views.
Ayad Qassim, a 25-year-old graduate of Mosul University’s Administration and Finance Department, has been unable to find work, despite speaking Kurdish, Arabic, and English in addition to his Turkmen mother tongue.
“We want our conditions to be improved. We did not see anything from the previous [Turkmen MPs]. The security, business, and salaries should be improved,” he said.
Qassim has never voted and says he probably won’t this time either.
Sarhang Abdulkarim, 40, took some persuading before he agreed to speak to Rudaw.
Turkmen have gained their rights in the Region, he said, but it is important to “maintain our share” in parliament.
“The candidates have to be good people who should speak for Erbil Turkmen, because we have been here for years,” he added.
Ikram Sabr, 84, whose mother was Turkmen and his father Kurdish, agreed with Abdulkarim that the quality of Turkmen candidates is a top priority, regardless of their age.
As a minority group in the Kurdistan Region, Turkmen need to accept they cannot expect to have significant political influential, said Sabr. “Few Turkmen MPs can do anything,” he added.
Disunity is also seen as a challenge, he said. With eight parties vying for five quota seats, the Turkmen could pack a greater political punch if they closed ranks.
Sabr praised the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by Kurds and Turkmens in Erbil.
Rudaw asked Mina Kahveci, head of the Turkmen Reform List, why so many Turkmen are unwilling to speak to the media about the election.
“Some people avoid talking to the media. Turkmens have a special attitude which makes them not very open to media,” she said.
“Kurdistan people have been generally disappointed by the financial crisis. Turkmen are eagerly preparing to participate in Kurdistan parliamentary election,” she insisted.
Kahveci says her list will be prioritizing Turkmen rights in the Kurdistan parliament, the implementation of Article 140, support for Peshmerga forces, and preserving the political status of the Region in the next session of parliament.
However, Turkmen voters who spoke to Rudaw say they are disappointed by the record of their representatives and frustrated by their political divisions.
Turkmen also seem to be wary of speaking to Kurdish media. Of the 15 people approached by Rudaw for comment on their voting intensions, just three were willing to share their views.
Ayad Qassim, a 25-year-old graduate of Mosul University’s Administration and Finance Department, has been unable to find work, despite speaking Kurdish, Arabic, and English in addition to his Turkmen mother tongue.
“We want our conditions to be improved. We did not see anything from the previous [Turkmen MPs]. The security, business, and salaries should be improved,” he said.
Qassim has never voted and says he probably won’t this time either.
Sarhang Abdulkarim, 40, took some persuading before he agreed to speak to Rudaw.
Turkmen have gained their rights in the Region, he said, but it is important to “maintain our share” in parliament.
“The candidates have to be good people who should speak for Erbil Turkmen, because we have been here for years,” he added.
Ikram Sabr, 84, whose mother was Turkmen and his father Kurdish, agreed with Abdulkarim that the quality of Turkmen candidates is a top priority, regardless of their age.
As a minority group in the Kurdistan Region, Turkmen need to accept they cannot expect to have significant political influential, said Sabr. “Few Turkmen MPs can do anything,” he added.
Disunity is also seen as a challenge, he said. With eight parties vying for five quota seats, the Turkmen could pack a greater political punch if they closed ranks.
Sabr praised the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by Kurds and Turkmens in Erbil.
Rudaw asked Mina Kahveci, head of the Turkmen Reform List, why so many Turkmen are unwilling to speak to the media about the election.
“Some people avoid talking to the media. Turkmens have a special attitude which makes them not very open to media,” she said.
“Kurdistan people have been generally disappointed by the financial crisis. Turkmen are eagerly preparing to participate in Kurdistan parliamentary election,” she insisted.
Kahveci says her list will be prioritizing Turkmen rights in the Kurdistan parliament, the implementation of Article 140, support for Peshmerga forces, and preserving the political status of the Region in the next session of parliament.
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