Gorran Movement withdraws from Iraqi Kurdistan government

Dana Ahmed Majid, General Coordinator of the Change (Gorran) Movement, on October 10, 2024. Photo: Gorran’s FB/video/via iKurd.net

ERBIL/SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Change (Gorran) Movement has formally announced its withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and local governance bodies, just days before the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20, 2024.

In a video statement posted to Facebook on Thursday, Dana Ahmed Majid, Gorran’s acting general coordinator, confirmed the decision, which was made following a majority vote by the party’s national assembly.

“This move reflects the will and demands of the Kurdish people,” Majid explained, promising to correct past mistakes and reestablish Gorran as a strong political force committed to supporting the region’s citizens. He emphasized that the withdrawal, though delayed, was both necessary and appropriate given the current political circumstances.

In the current KRG, which is led by the Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Gorran holds several significant government positions. These include the ministries of labor and social affairs, construction and housing, finance and economy, and trade and industry. Additionally, Gorran members serve as the deputy president of the Kurdistan Region and the governor of Sulaimani.

The decision to exit the government comes as Iraq’s Kurdistan Region heads into the final days of campaigning for its parliamentary elections. Gorran has been slower to launch its campaign compared to other parties due to internal disagreements, particularly concerning leadership changes.

On September 28, 2024, Majid took over the party’s leadership from former general coordinator Omar Sayyid Ali. This transition occurred in a park in Sulaimani, as the sons of Gorran’s late founder, Nawshirwan Mustafa, blocked access to the party’s traditional headquarters on Zargata Hill. They opposed Majid’s appointment, adding to the party’s internal challenges.

Gorran, originally known for its pro-reform stance, disrupted the political landscape in 2009 when it secured 25 seats in the 111-seat regional parliament, marking the first time an opposition party had such a presence.

At the time, the ruling parties—the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the KDP—held a combined 59 seats, demonstrating Gorran’s early appeal as a challenger to the status quo.

However, in recent years, the party has struggled to maintain its popularity. A series of unpopular decisions, such as passing control to the sons of the party’s founder and entering agreements with the PUK and KDP, caused a rift with its base.

Voters saw these moves as a departure from Gorran’s democratic and opposition-focused ideals. This culminated in the party’s poor showing in the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary elections, where it failed to secure any seats. Following that defeat, Gorran’s entire leadership resigned, signaling a need for significant changes.

As part of its efforts to rejuvenate, Majid emphasized that Gorran would return to its founding principles. He vowed that the party would implement the political strategies outlined by its founder, Nawshirwan Mustafa, focusing on reforming the governance system in the Kurdistan Region.

Following the decision to leave the KRG, three Gorran ministers and the governor of Sulaimani resigned from their positions. Sulaimani Governor Haval Abubakir announced his resignation on Friday, stating that he would remain in his role in a technocratic and independent capacity until his resignation was officially accepted.

Finance Minister Awat Sheikh Janab, Social Affairs Minister Kwestan Mohammed, and Trade Minister Kamal Muslim also confirmed their decisions to step down, all citing their commitment to abide by Gorran’s withdrawal from government.

This marks a significant moment for the Change Movement, as it looks to regain its standing in Kurdistan’s political landscape and reposition itself as a reform-oriented force ahead of the upcoming elections.

However, according to analysts, Gorran’s chances of success in the upcoming election appear slim, as many believe the party has lost the public’s trust after aligning with Barzani’s KDP government, widely regarded by the public as the most corrupt political entity in Kurdistan.

(With files from Rudaw | Agencies)