By Surkew Mohammed
He has been working for his party’s intelligence the moment he stepped into Politics. His involvement in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) intelligence is significant to the extent that whenever victims of attacks are pronounced in Erbil and Duhok, he is immediately accused. On the strength of freedom of speech, people hardly await formal investigations and charge him with the blame instantly.
The common belief shared among the people and political parties is that without Masrour Barzani, KDP-controlled security forces cannot act aggressively or violently. Although there is no evidence, very often he is blamed for the wrongdoings.
Masrour Barzani, 49, is the oldest son of Masoud Barzani, the former president of the Kurdistan region and current leader of KDP. He has been the chief of KDP's intelligence, Parastin (meaning protection in Kurdish) for 14 years, and has been the chief of Kurdistan region's National Security Council for 6 years. In fact, his powers do not extend to the Sulaimaniyah province, the area under the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Gorran Movement.
In his new role, junior Barzani aims at "a strong and different government". He takes the position when his party is the strongest through ballots. With their affiliated component seats in parliament, they can easily secure an absolute majority.
In a session of KDP's Political Bureau where he was nominated for the premiership, Masrour Barzani has reportedly said, "Thank you! I assure you all of you deserve that position. However, I want to shoulder it and tackle various tasks in this new duty where kak [honorary title] Nechirvan [former PM] is my biggest supporter."
A high-ranking source, informed about the discussions of the session, told Peregraf that Masrour Barzani spoke on his behalf and Nechirvan Barzani's. Nechirvan Barzani also expressed his support and considered him to be "worthy" of the position.
However, the source said, such remarks were formalities, as there are disputes among the two camps and "changes cover the people closest to Nechirvan Barzani".
Nechirvan Barzani, the deputy leader of KDP, and nephew of Masoud Barzani has been the prime minister for 20 years. When his cousin, Masrour, takes the position, he is nominated for the presidency of the region, a position which is suspended currently.
Masrour Barzani has a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution, from the American University in Washington D.C, with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He is a father of four - three sons and one daughter. He is also affiliated to a media organisation. Moreover, he has established the American University in Kurdistan-Duhok and Barzani Organization for Charity.
It is rather difficult to find someone who can intimately describe him. Peregraf found such a person who is familiar with Barzani, "He is close-minded, rigid with people around him. He reacts fiercely and coldly."
After 20 years, Nechirvan Barzani leaves KRG and the rule of Masrour Barzani will start
The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said if he wants to strike against someone, he would do it through his father, "He has a security perspective in management, always suspicious and rash."
The source said, "I think he should find this as an opportunity to open up because he can't manage a successful cabinet this way. The government is not only KDP's and KDP-controlled areas."
Through informed sources, Peregraf learnt that Masrour Barzani favours deputy leader Kosrat Rasul's wing and stand in PUK, and does not like Talabani's family.
He is not in favour of the Kurdistan Islamic Group joining his cabinet. Although he has no connection to the Gorran Movement, he wants to form "a strong relationship" with them.
Gorran also supports this idea. Although they come strong with criticism against Masrour and his wing, they want to deal with the reality. A high-ranking source from Gorran told Peregraf, "In the time of kak [honorary title] Nawshirwan [former leader] and even now, there has been no communication of Gorran with Masrour Barzani, even he did not favour that wing [Masrour's wing] to be the face of KDP."
The source from Gorran said, "We think he has a violent character," he added that media campaigns against rival figures and parties are led by him, "Even the arrest warrant to Nawshirwan Mustafa was through him."
However, Gorran's official said a "new phase" has emerged with which they have to deal "with the intention that his government and himself could change and succeed in serving people".
KDP's delegation for negotiating the cabinet formation consists of people affiliated with Masrour Barzani, not Nechirvan.
KDP spokesman Mahmood Muhammad said, "The next four years will be marked with stability, nation-wide governance and joint work."
The cabinet formation might not be difficult, he said, "All parties are ready to work together in this phase."
PUK has decided to take part, while the New Generation, Kurdistan Islamic Union and Communist Party have voiced their stance as opposition groups. Gorran and KIG are yet to decide, but Gorran is closer to participation.
Although KDP could easily validate the new cabinet through the absolute majority inside parliament, the actual situation could prove to be risky, due to the remnants of dual administration. A stable government could not be formed without PUK and Gorran.
While PUK has been an essential element inside the cabinets of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) since 1992, Gorran has started in 2009 as opposition, and later joined the government in 2014.
Everyone is observing Masrour Barzani, who is being called "The Big Brother" by KDP cadres. It is not clear yet whether he would manage a government where the liberties are protected, and rules are sovereign or not. Should he tread any path, the future shall reveal the real character of junior Barzani.