Dominant Kurdish parties maintain their sway in election

Election results from the vote for the regional parliament in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern region show the two dominant Kurdish parties have maintained their hold while an opposition party has made inroads, officials said on Oct. 30.

According to the Independent High Electoral Commission, the Kurdistan Democratic Party — with its base of support in the regional capital Irbil, and the city of in Dohuk — made the strongest showing, securing 39 seats.

The rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan won 23 seats, continuing its influence over the city of Sulaymaniyah. In the 2018 elections, the two parties won 45 and 21 seats, respectively.

A relatively new opposition party, New Generation, won 15 seats, a significant increase from the eight seats it got in 2018, when the party was first established.

The Kurdistan Islamic Union, which came in fourth with seven seats, announced it will join the New Generation in opposition in the regional, 100-seat parliament. Other minor parties took a smattering of seats.

Despite some technical issues at the polls, voters turned out in large numbers, with 72 percent of eligible voters casting ballots.

The surge in support for the New Generation appeared to stem from growing disillusionment among younger voters, who are increasingly frustrated with the region's ongoing economic challenges, including delays in salary payments, high unemployment and perceived corruption within the traditional political leadership.

Economic concerns remain at the forefront — widespread dissatisfaction over delayed payments to civil servants, fluctuating oil prices and ongoing budget disputes with the central government in Baghdad have fueled calls for reform.

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