Fight for a position, or fight for what…?!

Salar Sabir – Activist 

We are now heading into the second year after the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, yet the KDP and the PUK—who hold the majority of seats and have completely monopolized executive power—are not prepared to allow a parliament that the people voted for to function or even convene.

This behavior has no other name than the harsh and ruthless devaluation of the people’s votes in general, and of their own voters in particular.

For this abnormal step, which is filled with betrayal of every administrative and political value, no one bears responsibility except these two forces.

They are the ones who do not want—and will not allow—a functioning parliament, whether through their majority of votes or through the force of their armed power, obtained through corruption and coercion.

They are the ones who have shifted the path of governance away from constitutional, legal, and institutional norms, turning it into a matter of personal mood and whim: ‘I convene it or I don’t.’

This transformation in the form of governance is a defining feature of the ruling authorities in the Kurdistan Region—one they laid down from the very beginning, starting with the first election. In reality, however, all of this serves only to protect their personal interests and their widespread corruption..!

They prefer that meetings are held and elections take place only when it suits them and serves their interests—and when it doesn’t, they simply do not allow them.

Time and again, to justify delays or the failure of administrative and legal processes, they use disputes over positions and appointments as a pretext in the media, sometimes even invoking the ‘public interest’ as another excuse.

But what truly deserves attention is this: ever since the Kurdistan Region was established, they have, in practice, divided it into two zones. In each zone, one of them exercises absolute and coercive authority, with all ranks and positions in that area fully under their control.

At times, merely under the title of party leader in the Green or Yellow Zone, they make decisions on their own, form committees, issue orders, and do whatever they want.

Yet for manipulation and personal gain, they present themselves as stubbornly locked in disputes over positions such as President of the Region, Prime Minister, or this or that ministry.

In your own zone, you are effectively a king—nothing lies beyond your authority except the rival party. So what exactly are you fighting over, and why?

What is the value of a ministry whose limits are defined by zones and its until Degalla check point ?!

Through your actions and in reality, you have created two separate administrations. So tell me: why do you keep the people preoccupied with illusory titles and a supposed all-encompassing authority?

Your thoughts and ambitions are entirely consumed by a struggle over pieces of money, oil, and gas. Even within that, both zones act the same—yet you complain that they are not forming a proper government?

A government should have powers equally divided and equal capital and revenues for both sides: one zone stealing oil, the other stealing gas; one zone looting customs gates, and the other taking taxes, fees, and salaries!

So what is the point of this media battle that keeps deceiving the people?

You have no vision, plan, or program for real state-building or proper governance. Instead, you bleed the people, increasing their suffering and hardships. Where in the world does this kind of governance exist that you can call it the ‘second model,’ a ‘basic and similar model’? There is no justification at all!
So why do you make the lives of these people more chaotic and unequal..?!