Dana Ahmad Majid vows Gorran's return to opposition until obtaining parliamentary majority

Peregraf

Dana Ahmad Majid, the newly appointed Acting General Coordinator of the Gorran Movement, has pledged to return the party to the opposition until it secures a parliamentary majority. In his first official statement, Majid emphasized that Gorran will not participate in any government, regardless of election results, reaffirming its commitment to holding the ruling authorities accountable from the opposition.

He stated, "We will engage in our civil struggle for the public good and the rights and freedoms of our citizens until we achieve a parliamentary majority."

Majid noted that Gorran had previously joined the government to facilitate the implementation of reform initiatives. However, he expressed disappointment that the political authorities failed to honor the commitments made regarding these reforms.

Reflecting critically on their years in government, he characterized the experience as unsuccessful and extended an apology for the errors and shortcomings that have disheartened Gorran's supporters. He pledged to initiate a thorough and introspective evaluation within the organization. Furthermore, he urged the Kurdish populace, former Gorran supporters and former Gorran leaders to "grant us another opportunity in this parliamentary election, allowing our movement to regain its position of power and influence within the political landscape of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region."

Dana Ahmad Majid reaffirmed Gorran's steadfast principle of rejecting political dynasties and hereditary leadership, advocating instead for the peaceful transition of power both within the party and throughout the governance framework in the Kurdistan Region.

Gorran was founded in 2008 as a response to the dominant duopoly of the KDP and the PUK, aiming to present a platform of significant reform to the electorate. In the July 2009 Kurdistan Parliamentary elections, the Gorran List secured 25 seats, garnering over half a million votes, thus becoming the second most successful list after the Kurdistani List. This electoral achievement surprised both the populace and the ruling parties within the Kurdistan region, and the party regarded the results as a substantial triumph.

The movement's agenda for the 2009 elections focused on depoliticizing the regional government, enhancing the judiciary's independence, curtailing political interference in economic matters, and increasing budget transparency. However, following a win of 24 seats in the 2013 regional elections, the party chose to participate in the government rather than maintain its opposition stance.

After the passing of Nawshirwan Mustafa in 2017, the party's influence began to wane, particularly after its decision to join KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's government in 2019. Gorran now finds itself in a position that straddles both government and opposition, struggling to regain the trust of its constituents.

Gorran's performance in the 2021 Iraqi Parliament elections was dismal, resulting in the loss of all its seats. There is a real possibility that the party may face complete dissolution in the forthcoming elections, marking a stark contrast to its fortunes in 2013. Since that time, it has steadily declined, and many of its previous supporters are likely to abstain from participating in the upcoming Kurdistan parliamentary elections, feeling a sense of political despair.