Governing and opposition parties exchange statements on the way to reform
Replying to an opposition suggestion to dissolve Kurdistan Regional Government, the ruling parties firmly declined the suggestion of a transitional government and insisted on supporting the authority's projects for conducting reforms and solving problems.
The governing Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Kurdistan Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) accuse the opposition of seeking "political benefits" as they continuously increase their demands, and "don't actually aim for reform." Meanwhile, the opposition Gorran Movement, Kurdistan Islamic Union and the Islamic Group in Kurdistan claim that no reform can be possible under the rule of the current government headed by Prime Minister Barham Salih.
The governing parties say they still are ready for negotiations, "but increasing demands from the opposition means halting dialogue," reads a statement from the KDP and PUK politburos after a meeting on Thursday. This reply pushed the three opposition parties, which hold 35 of parliament's 111 seats, to meet on Saturday and to reiterate their suggestion.
Arguments about the political system in Kurdistan Region have pushed governing and opposition parties far apart following antigovernment protests launched in Suleimaniya on Feb. 17.
Nearly 50 days of demonstrations continued in Suleimaniya, with protesters gathering at the so-called Saray Azadi (Freedom Square) and in other towns, protesting against KRG and demanding political reforms.
The temporary council of Saray Azadi, which is leading the Suleimaniya demonstrations, recently called for dissolving the government, parliament and presidency of Kurdistan Region. The council has declared it is about to announce a road map for normalizing political situation in the region.
In the early days of their gatherings, the council submitted to the authority two demands for reforms and justice, one to be met soon and the other in the future. Prosecuting those who had opened fire on demonstrators is another demand. Nine people, including two security members, were killed in clashes between protestors and security forces in Suleimaniya, Kalar, Halabja and Chamchamal. Tens of others were wounded.
The politburos of KDP and PUK explained in their statement that they have taken the people's "rightful" demands into consideration, as the parliament and the government have adopted plans for fulfilling them. The statement adds that the two parties "reject the issue of dissolving the government in the way they [the oppositions] are asking for." They also described the opposition's demand as "illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional."
The ruling parties say they count on the parliament as the place for settling problems but "the opposition has quit [attending] the parliament and now works from the streets, and from there they debate the parliament and the government."
The KDP-PUK statement accuses the opposition of trying to gain power through their efforts. They also called on the opposition to gain power through elections. "September 10 is the day for electing provincial and local council. There is opportunity for anyone who wants to compete freely and morally," says the statement.
On the other hand, the opposition parties say they have not gotten an answer from the authority on 22 proposal items they put forth on March 3. The parties call for establishing a transitional government. The opposition parties say that such a government would work for two goals: Conducting fundamental and wide-scale reforms as mentioned in the first 20 items of the opposition proposal.
© The Kurdish Globe 2011
