Kirkuk Governorship and Parliament Speaker Voting in Iraq
The voting held in Baghdad on August 10 for the Governorship and Parliamentary Presidency in Kirkuk, Iraq, sparked controversy. In the 16-seat Kirkuk Provincial Council, Turkmens, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and 3 Arab members boycotted the vote. Only 5 Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), 3 Arab and 1 Christian members took part in the voting. As a result of this vote, PUK’s Rebvar Taha was elected as governor, while Arab member Muhammed Hafez was appointed as the speaker of the parliament. In Kirkuk, where Turkmens live intensely, this meeting was perceived as ignoring the Turkmens and was met with a great reaction.
The Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) applied to the Iraqi Federal Court to announce this so-called election. Kirkuk Foundation Board Member Prof. Dr. In his statement to Yeni Şafak, Mahir Nakip evaluated the possible scenarios that may occur.
The Importance of Two Alternatives
Nakip stated that two main alternatives came to the fore in the solution process. “The first alternative is for the Federal Court to announce this appointment and illegal election. There are three basic bases for this. First, the meeting is not held under the roof of the parliament. Secondly, the oldest member of the council did not invite other members to the meeting. “The third thing is that any Turkmen who have the right to represent in the Parliament should not participate in this election,” he said.
Nakip stated that the second alternative would be for the Federal Court to reject the application and said, “Rejection of the application may have some negative consequences.” Arabs have 6 seats in the Parliament. Three of these seats cooperate with the Bafil Taliban, that is, the PUK. The other three are members who have relations with Turkmens and remain in opposition. Therefore, this situation may lead to an atmosphere of turmoil in Kirkuk. “Turkmens may decide not to attend the meetings in the Parliament,” he said.
Independence of the Court Process
Nakip pointed out that the Federal Court has the authority to extend the process as long as it wishes. “Another point that should not be forgotten is that the Federal Court is not independent. Shiites, Kurds and a very small number of Sunni Arabs have a say in the court. “In a court where there are ethnic differences, it is also an important point whether decisions will be taken unanimously or by majority vote,” he said.
