Since the morning of October 20, two and a half million voters have been called to the polls to renew the seats in the Parliament of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Elections that should have been held two years ago already.
3 mins
With our correspondent in the region, Lucas Lazo
Five times postponed, the elections in Iraqi Kurdistan finally started this Sunday, October 20 in the morning under the control of the Iraqi Electoral Commission. The divisions between the Kurdish political parties have in fact pushed Baghdad to impose the framework of this election. A snub for the Kurds, just six years after the referendum for the independence of Kurdistan.
Impossible to hide the problems
A complete break between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, who have shared power since 1991. In a tense campaign, these historic rivals staged their opposition, embodied by a new generation of leaders with populist but who struggle to convince. The militant crowds that the parties still manage to mobilize no longer hide the economic crisis, the problems of water and electricity supply, or the departures of young people to Europe.
After two years of paralysis, these elections are nevertheless an opportunity for Parliament to vote on laws again. And for the authorities Kurds to regain damaged legitimacy. But from October 21, the parties will have to meet and negotiate the formation of a government, at the risk of seeing Baghdad meddle ever more in Kurdish affairs.
For this old gentleman with a trembling voice met in a busy square in Souleymanieh, it is absolutely necessary to remedy the shutdown of the institutions: “ Today we do not have a government, it is essential that people go out and vote, no matter who they vote for, whether for the traditional parties or for the opposition, the main thing is that we finally have a Parliament, once that is done, things will gradually return to normal. »
“ Go vote if it helps change things »
But be careful, this lady who is trying on scarves in a stall in the bazaar wishes to vote, of course, but not under any conditions: “ I think it’s important to only vote if it changes things. If we can ensure that these elections will be organized in a transparent manner, without cheating, then we must go and vote. »
“ The first thing Kurdistan needssaid this woman, it is to improve salaries: today the government does not pay people’s salaries on time. The second, tackle youth employment: too many students obtain their diplomas but are unable to find a job. work. I believe that if these two essential things are taken into account, life will return to normal in our country. »
The salary issue
With access to water and electricity too often cut, salaries are an essential issue for the Kurds: for several months, it is Baghdad which has been paying the civil servants. A serious attack on the autonomy of Kurdistan. So for the inhabitants of Souleymanieh, voting is at least giving the institutions a chance to function properly.
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