Election results from the vote for the regional parliament in Iraq’s semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region reveal that the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan have maintained their dominance, with the emergence of the New Generation party as a significant opposition force.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party secured 39 seats, primarily from Irbil and Dohuk, while the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan won 23 seats, maintaining its stronghold in Sulaymaniyah. The New Generation party, a newcomer in Kurdish politics, made substantial progress by securing 15 seats, up from 8 in the previous election.
The Kurdistan Islamic Union claimed seven seats, positioning itself as part of the opposition alongside the New Generation party. Other minor parties also secured seats in the 100-seat parliament.
Despite technical glitches, voter turnout was high at 72% of eligible voters, indicating strong civic engagement. The New Generation party's increased support reflects the disillusionment among younger voters with the region's economic challenges, including delayed salary payments, high unemployment, and perceived political corruption.
Economic concerns, such as delayed payments to civil servants, fluctuating oil prices, and budget disputes with the central government in Baghdad, have fueled calls for reform in the region. The election outcome will influence how Kurdish leaders address these issues and navigate disputes with Baghdad, particularly regarding oil revenue sharing and budget allocations.
In a notable development, three Assyrian Christian candidates and two Turkmen candidates secured the remaining minority quota seats, despite the controversial elimination of reserved seats for ethnic and religious minorities earlier this year. Critics argue that these quota seats do not provide genuine minority representation, as candidates often align with major political parties rather than representing their communities independently.
One Assyrian activist, Toma Khoshaba, expressed concerns about the lack of true minority representation in parliament, highlighting that the so-called independent representatives in quota seats are often backed by dominant political groups rather than genuinely advocating for minority interests.
The election results underscore the evolving political landscape in the Kurdish region and the challenges ahead in addressing economic grievances and fostering inclusive governance.
