Recent events in Kurdistan Debate on President Barzani's term

President Barzani was elected by the Kurdistan Parliament in 2005 and by the public in 2009. In 2013, his term was extended for two years until August 19, 2015. During that extension, the Kurdistan Parliament was supposed to finish redrafting the Constitution in the first year and a President was to be elected according to whatever mechanism was to be agreed on in the Constitution. Therefore, the two-year extension was conditioned on the passing of the Constitution by Parliament. However, Parliament failed to carry out the redrafting in time.

The Gorran party, which has 24 seats in Parliament, held the post of Speaker of Parliament and was in the five-party coalition government, tried to pass amendments to the Presidency Law in June 2015 and again on 19th August in Parliament. They failed because they could not reach the quorum.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party, the leading party in the coalition government, argued that Gorran had breached the consensus on which the current broad base government was formed in May 2014. Moreover, it was one of the bases for President Barzani’s two-year extension, and the agreement to redraft the Constitution in Parliament.

In the run-up to the August 19 deadline, the five political parties in the coalition government discussed the presidency, whether or not to extend President Barzani's term. When the President wrote to the Kurdistan High Commission for Election on 13th June asking them to prepare for election as well as taking necessary measures for presidential issue, the respond was not satisfactory. Furthermore, none of the parties put forward an alternative candidate but other issues came to the fore focusing on the future of the Presidency (beyond President Barzani's term) and what powers a President should have.

There were discussions in Parliament, among the party leaders in closed meetings and in public through the media.

President Barzani had made it clear throughout these difficult times that he is not insistent on staying on as President and has asked the parties to reach a consensus on the various topical issues. He is disappointed the discussions have taken so long and created uncertainty among the citizen of the Region, and abroad in among our international allies. He is ready to step down at any moment but in the absence of an alternative candidate or agreed mechanism, he does not wish to leave a vacuum in these challenging times, especially battling ISIS.

Options

The parties have had lengthy and sometimes heated discussions on the future of the Presidency, beyond any extension of President Barzani's term.

Finally it came down to two main issues;

1) How the President should be elected, either by Parliament or the public.

2) What powers should the President have, in other words, should the post be ceremonial like the Presidency of Austria, or should it have powers and be a check against the powers of the Parliament and Executive, like the United States or France. Or should it be something in between.

Gorran was strongly in favour of the President being elected by Parliament and for the post to be a ceremonial one. The two smaller Islamist parties in the coalition government were divided. The PUK favoured some powers for the President and election by Parliament, while the KDP, which leads the government as the party that won the most seats in the 2013 election, preferred direct election by the public and a powerful Presidency.

Over time, there were many compromises, although that wasn't always apparent from the media reporting.

Negotiations suspended

In the recent stages of the negotiations, the PUK, Gorran, Islamic Union and Islamic Group presented the KDP with two options. First: the President is elected by Parliament with major powers. Second, President elected by the public with limited authority.

In early October, a meeting of the five parties was held and the KDP responded to the options it had been presented.

The KDP favoured the option of election by the people and agreed to remove of sizable Presidential powers. In return they had some amendments:

• It proposed that the President remain Commander in Chief but with the assistance of a council made up of the Vice President, Minister of Peshmerga and senior commanders.

•  Instead of saying that the block with the most seats in Parliament has the right to form a government, the KDP changed this to the list with the most seats, because we in KDP of the believe that its more democratic for the President to ask the wining party to form Government.

• It proposed that the President should continue to sign into law legislation passed by Parliament.

This is the stage at which the negotiations were brought to an untimely halt because of violence against the KDP offices in Slemani, Qaladiza, Kalar and elsewhere. The KDP believes Gorran incited the violence, and in particular KDP holds the radical wing within Gorran directly responsible for the violent attacks, and that PUK was negligent in protecting KDP offices in areas under their security control.

Demands of protests

There were peaceful protests because of the three-month delay in salaries given to civil servants, for example, teachers. Kurdistan’s economy has taken a hit since February 2014 when former Prime Minister Maliki cut off the region’s budget, then ISIS attacked and a flood of 1.8million displaced people and refugees whom took shelter in Kurdistan, meantime the price of oil has fallen dramatically. The cost of fighting a war, sheltering refugees and economic challenges has meant that the KRG has been paying salaries late. The early protests were legitimate and peaceful.

Once the negotiations over the future of the Presidency broke down, new surge of violent riots took place which the KDP believes they were instigated by Gorran and they were not part of the normal peaceful protests.

The violence lasted a few days. The situation has stabilized and there is no longer any violence. Some of the rioters are being charged with vandalism and assault on police officers. Since then peaceful protests demanding salaries have been held, without any violent incident.

Current political situation

After the violence, which resulted in five deaths and over 50 people injured including police officers, KDP informed Gorran that the political agreements between the two parties were null and void. This meant that the agreement by which Gorran joined the coalition government and was given the seat of Speaker of Parliament was no longer valid.

The former Speaker remains a Member of Parliament. The Prime Minister has removed the Gorran Ministers from his Cabinet and is in the process of replacing them in a Cabinet Reshuffle, he has the authority to do so according to the Council of Minister bylaws.

The Prime Minister is holding talks with the PUK, Islamic Union, Islamic Group and minority parties regarding a new Cabinet. The parties will meet to elect a new Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Secretary of the Parliament. Everyone hopes that this will be a speedy process and so far, the talks are going well.

Gorran may go back to be in Opposition or it could negotiate a new agreement with the KDP and return to the government.

Recent events and effect on Peshmerga

The Peshmerga Forces continue to defend Kurdistan's frontline against ISIS, protect the population, including the displaced personals. Political disagreements have not impacted the security situation and public services continue as normal.

One example is that on October 15, the Peshmerga Forces successfully rebuffed an attack by ISIS in an area close to Sinjar. The Peshmerga commanders and soldiers, as well as President Barzani the Commander-in-Chief, remain focused on the fight against ISIS and continue to co-operate closely with the International Coalition.

Outcome

Kurdistan is indeed an island of stability in the Middle East. However, we are new to democracy and state-building when compared with other nations. It is deeply regrettable to all of us that there was violence and a break-down in the political consensus.

On a positive note, the violence was very limited and did not spread through to rest of the Region which some observers appear to have predicted, nor did any of this impacted the Peshmerga forces or the security of ordinary citizens.

The tension has de-escalated, the situation has stabilised and the parties are negotiating a new coalition Cabinet and a new leadership of the Parliament. The Peshmerga continue to defend and protect Kurdistan. The issue of the Presidency, both in the short-term and long-term, will also be resolved.

Prime Minister Barzani’s public addressing

On Friday October 16, Prime Minister Barzani made a televised address in which he reassured the people of his commitment to the stability and security of Kurdistan and to leading a government that provide services and meets the daily needs of the people.

Transcript of televised address by Prime Minster Nechirvan Barzani

Delivered on October 16, 2015

Esteemed Fellow Citizens

It is time for us to assess the situation in our homeland. As Prime Minister, I would like to provide a clarification on last week’s events and, afterwards, deliberate on what we should do.

In recent days, peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by narrow political interests. Those irresponsible players tried to take apart the concord within the Kurdistan Region. Those behind these acts form a small angry group but the responsible, moderate majority succeeded.

Because we are going through a difficult stage in our political life, it is not surprising that some people wish to raise voices of discontent. At the same time, it is gratifying that the majority of the people of the Kurdistan Region are reiterating their message of endurance.

We have confronted many situations in our recent and distant history that have been more difficult than what we are facing today. I believe that any other nation would have given up had they endured what we have. Our resilience is unending.

I would like to speak frankly about the demonstrations last week. Peaceful demonstrations are the basic right of the people and an important part of Kurdistan Region’s democracy. But I, like every citizen and responsible leader, am saddened by the incidents in Qaladiza, Kalar and other towns and cities.

From my heart, I express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and I wish a speedy recovery for those injured, who were the victims of unprovoked attacks. These acts divide the nation while pleasing our enemies, who were publicly congratulating themselves and those irresponsible people.  However, I see that responsible citizens and leaders say that we must address this sensitive situation with wisdom. Unrest, caused by any group or anyone, must not result in wrongdoing.

Here I would like to thank the Commanders of the Peshmerga Forces, NGOs and religious figures who ask for the preservation of the peace and security of the Kurdistan Region. I also thank those who prevent further division of the people by avoiding being drawn into conflict through the media or social media networks. But we must not forget those forces and political interests who, for their short and narrow interests, set our shared home alight.

When this Cabinet was established, I did my utmost to increase our unity under the framework of an agreement to form a joint or coalition government. Unfortunately, those who spoke sweetly of the protection and strengthening of democracy and four years of calm and responsible governance broke our joint agreement.

Some of them took the creation of unrest to such a point of irresponsibility that they spread rumours and falsehoods.

As you know, the instability and unprovoked attacks compelled me to ask four minsters to leave the government. In fact, we had very good cooperation with those minsters but their leadership was continuously trying to undermine the Kurdistan Regional Government.

As Prime Minister, I could not avoid taking that decision.

I know and understand that people are disappointed that our politicians have spent a great deal of time working on the details of Presidency of the Kurdistan Region and that we are spending more time engaging in politics than governing. Some say we need to agree on every detail while others say let the people decide.

We are all concerned about this appalling situation. Our party will do its best to find a reasonable solution to this matter and not a solution that will take us from one crisis to another. I fully believe the people should decide on the issue of the Presidency. This is the fundamental right of all of us. Otherwise, we will give the decision-making power to those who cannot be held to account by the people.

I am in agreement with you that the people of Kurdistan Region want a strong leadership. Strong, not in the sense that the leadership should distance itself from problems, and not in the sense that we find problems everywhere without pointing to constructive and relevant solutions. Strong in the sense that, with courage and confidence, we admit our problems, face them and find the right solutions to them.

You can be sure that in the past months I have heard the voices of disaffection. I have always listened to them. We know that loyal government employees and civil servants haven’t received the salaries due to them for some months. Despite the existential threats and attacks, we have done our best to find a source of income for the Kurdistan Region. My primary aim as Prime Minister is the economic independence of the Kurdistan Region so that we can stand strong on our feet.

Some politicians tried to make this journey more difficult. But I assure you that, despite the creation of these obstacles in the way of our growth and transformation, we will reach our goal.

At this sensitive time, we need a stable and rational government to provide services and meet the daily needs of our people. In the coming weeks, we will set out the second phase of this government and its main tasks.

I will not so easily give up on the demand of our people for unity. The blood of the Peshmerga does not have the colour of one political party or another. They protect the Kurdistan Region, with all its ethnic and religious components. The untiring sacrifice of the Peshmerga, Asayish, police and security forces is for a bright future, regardless of ideological, political, regional, social or religious differences.

Like most of the people of this beloved country, I know that our interests and common good are more important than our small differences.

We have a shared history of struggle and sacrifice; our bright future is stronger than the ambitions of our enemies.

Let us all work together to use today’s difficulties to build a better future for ourselves and the new generation.

From my heart, I thank you for your patience.

 

Kurdistan Democratic Party Political Bureau (first public statement)

Press Release from Kurdistan Democratic Party

In the past two days, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bases in the Slemani and Halabja governorates have been sabotaged by violent riots while Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces and KDP members have been fighting in the frontline against the terrorist organization, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

We, as the KDP strongly condemn these violent protests and riots, which have clearly been pre-planned by the Gorran Movement led by Nawshirwan Mustafa, and which have been encouraged and spread by his followers. This hatred and violent riots have led to the loss of innocent lives in those regions.

The authorities in Erbil and Duhok governorate are protecting the bases of all political parties in the Kurdistan Region; however, the authorities in Slemani and Halabja have failed to protect KDP bases and members in those governorates due to negligence and incompetence. This failure led to the attack on nine (9) KDP bases, setting fire on four (4) of the bases, and causing the death of two (2) KDP Cadres as we’ll as injuring more than 50 members.

Due the safety and stability of the Kurdistan Region as well as for the safety and protection of KDP members in Slemani and Halabja governorates; the KDP have decided to temporarily close the sub-branches and committees in those region and hand over the sites to authorities except for the main branches, which will remain active.

It is believed that NRT and KNN channels have contributed to the escalation of violence in the region by promoting negative propaganda. Therefore, for the safety and security of the Kurdistan Region and the large foreign community, authorities have closed both channels until further notice.

The KDP calls upon all its members and supporters to remain calm and committed to restraint; and do not react to these riots. At the same time, we hold authorities in Slemani and Halabja responsible for protecting KDP members and bases. To our members, rest assured, these inappropriate actions will have suitable response and those responsible for this violence will be brought to justice.

On Monday, 12th of October 2015, KDP will meet with all political parties in the Kurdistan Region, excluding Gorran Movement, to discuss the current political crisis and debate suitable response and solution.  The debate will include a new approach towards Gorran Movement and review previous agreement in the formation of the government and presidency of the Kurdistan National Assembly, the Kurdistan Parliament.

Kurdistan Democratic Party Political Bureau (second public statement)

Kurdistan Democratic Party condemns the violent political protests and acts of sabotage ignited by Gorran (Change) Movement led by Nowshirwan Mustafa.

On Saturday evening, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led by President of the Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani condemned the violent protests started by Gorran (Change) Movement and creating tension amid political protests where protestors have sabotaged KDP administrative branches in southern Kurdish cities of Slemani, Halabja, Kalar and Qaladze.

The KDP strongly believes that the Gorran Movement is responsible for this unrest. The KDP Political Bureau believes that demonstrations were not spur-of-the-moment but rather planned in advance – by Gorran - to sabotage the presidency extension situation and attack KDP offices at a time when the Party is coordinating a plan to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the terrorist organization.

“This Party believes that it is appropriate to respond to this sedition as it deems necessary, with the first step being reconsidering the participation of Gorran Movement in the formation of the government, the KRG and the presidency of the Kurdistan Parliament.”

The statement continued stating that the KDP is committed to restraint, taking into account the welfare of the people of Kurdistan. It also expressed its disappointment in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's security forces for failing to protect KDP branches in their strongholds.

Following these recent incidents, the KDP has requested that security and administrative authorities to prioritize this situation and prevent further escalation of the situation.