New Generation will not join Kurdistan government

New Generation Ends Negotiations with KDP and PUK

SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The New Generation Movement (NGM) (Cûłanewey Newey Nwê), announced on Tuesday that it has formally ended negotiations with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The Movement confirmed it will not join any future government unless it prioritizes improving the lives of citizens and breaking away from entrenched political practices.

“We will not participate in a government that continues the same 34-year-old mentality,” said Hemdad Shahin, the party’s spokesperson, in a statement. “As the New Generation Movement, we will act as the opposition and have closed the door on discussions with both the KDP and the PUK.”

The NGM also expressed its position on Masrour Barzani, the outgoing prime minister, stating that while his return to office is possible, New Generation will not support or take part in such an arrangement. “We leave that decision to those who choose to engage in it,” the party stated.

Shaswar Abdulwahid, the leader of the Movement, elaborated further on their decision during a recent statement. He revealed that the KDP had approached New Generation twice, while the PUK made one attempt to form a coalition government after the October 2024 parliamentary elections.

According to Abdulwahid, his party was offered six ministerial positions and 50 additional government roles but declined the proposal, citing a lack of meaningful power to enact reforms.

Abdulwahid suggested an alternative approach for forming a government, urging opposition parties outside the KDP to unite and create a new administration.

Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the New Generation Movement ((Cûłanewey Newey Nwê), Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan,January 18, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/NRT TV

“All 15 of our MPs will vote for such a cabinet without demanding ministries, positions, or any other benefits,” he said. “We are serious about working toward a government that truly serves the people.”

The NGM, which won 15 seats in the October 2024 parliamentary elections, has emerged as a vocal critic of the dominant KDP and PUK. The KDP secured 39 seats, making it the largest party, while the PUK came second with 32.

Despite the election’s conclusion over three months ago, the formation of a new government remains in a state of paralysis.

NGM’s decision not to join the government, alongside its rejection of Barzani’s potential reappointment, adds further complexity to the political deadlock. The party has maintained that it will not endorse any administration that prioritizes political power over addressing the needs of the people.

“The New Generation Movement stands firm in its commitment to opposing outdated policies and practices,” Shahin reiterated in Tuesday’s statement. “We refuse to support any government that does not place the needs of the citizens of the Kurdistan Region first.”

As the KDP and PUK continue to explore coalition options, questions remain about whether they can overcome deep-seated divisions and form a government capable of tackling the region’s challenges, including economic instability and governance concerns.

For decades, the KDP, led by the Barzani family, and the PUK, dominated by the Talabani family, have maintained a stronghold over the Kurdish region. Both families have faced routine accusations of corruption and mismanagement.

The Barzani family, often referred to by critics as the “Kurdish oligarchs,” has been accused of nepotism and accumulating immense wealth through the region’s oil revenues, prioritizing their interests over those of the population.

Tribal leader and the head pf KDP party, Massoud Barzani, is considered by analysts to remain the most influential figure behind the scenes. His son, Masrour Barzani, currently serves as the region’s prime minister, while his nephew, Nechirvan Barzani, holds the presidency of Kurdistan.