ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Hours after the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) nominated candidates for both the Region’s presidency and the office of prime minister, the New Generation faction in the Kurdistan Region parliament issued a statement opposing the KDP’s “monopolization” of power.
New Generation, which holds eight seats in the Kurdistan Region parliament, said the KDP represents “less than 15 percent” of the electorate, and should therefore not expect to control both executive positions.
The party said it will back any candidate who stands to prevent the KDP taking both.
“We find it necessary that any forces outside the KDP willing to genuinely compete with the KDP and oppose its dictatorship present candidates for the position of the Region’s president or the prime minister,” New Generation said in its statement on Monday.
“If other forces do this, then they have the confidence and vote of the New Generation faction in Kurdistan’s parliament, and will support them unconditionally and work to prevent the monopolization of these two posts by one family in Kurdistan,” the party said.
If the two positions are not obtained by forces outside the KDP, then no force should participate in the upcoming government, it added.
Earlier on Monday, the KDP announced its nominee for prime minister as Masrour Barzani – the current chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) and son of former president Masoud Barzani.
The party also nominated the current KRG prime minister, Nechirvan Barzani, for the Kurdistan Region presidency – a post which had been frozen following Masoud’s resignation.
Nechirvan – Masoud’s nephew – has served as KRG prime minister for roughly 15 years. His party secured 45 seats in the September 30 election, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in second with 21 seats, and the Change Movement (Gorran) in third with 12.
New Generation stood for election for the first time this year. The youthful party, founded and led by businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid, has ruled out joining the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), opting instead for opposition.
New Generation, which holds eight seats in the Kurdistan Region parliament, said the KDP represents “less than 15 percent” of the electorate, and should therefore not expect to control both executive positions.
The party said it will back any candidate who stands to prevent the KDP taking both.
“We find it necessary that any forces outside the KDP willing to genuinely compete with the KDP and oppose its dictatorship present candidates for the position of the Region’s president or the prime minister,” New Generation said in its statement on Monday.
“If other forces do this, then they have the confidence and vote of the New Generation faction in Kurdistan’s parliament, and will support them unconditionally and work to prevent the monopolization of these two posts by one family in Kurdistan,” the party said.
If the two positions are not obtained by forces outside the KDP, then no force should participate in the upcoming government, it added.
Earlier on Monday, the KDP announced its nominee for prime minister as Masrour Barzani – the current chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) and son of former president Masoud Barzani.
The party also nominated the current KRG prime minister, Nechirvan Barzani, for the Kurdistan Region presidency – a post which had been frozen following Masoud’s resignation.
Nechirvan – Masoud’s nephew – has served as KRG prime minister for roughly 15 years. His party secured 45 seats in the September 30 election, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in second with 21 seats, and the Change Movement (Gorran) in third with 12.
New Generation stood for election for the first time this year. The youthful party, founded and led by businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid, has ruled out joining the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), opting instead for opposition.
The party is critical of the tribal-dynastic supremacy of the Barzani and Talabani families in Kurdish politics and the economy, accusing both the KDP and PUK of manipulating elections and using force to maintain power.
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