NEWS CENTER – Nine months after the parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, a new government has yet to be formed. Journalist Hawre Karwan warns that the ongoing political deadlock has evolved into a deep social crisis, with the public bearing the brunt of its consequences.
Despite elections taking place on October 20, 2024, talks between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have failed to produce a consensus on forming the 10th cabinet.
"What began as a political impasse has now transformed into a full-blown societal crisis," said Karwan, who reports from within the region.
According to Karwan, the PUK is demanding either the presidency of the Kurdistan Region or the premiership, as well as control over key ministries such as Interior, Finance, and Natural Resources. The KDP, however, has rejected these demands and insists on maintaining its current positions.
“Mutual distrust between the parties has paralyzed the political system,” Karwan explained, adding, “This deadlock is a legacy of the internal conflict from the 1990s.”
BASIC SERVICES IN COLLAPSE
The ongoing political crisis has led to severe disruptions in public services. Karwan reports that sectors such as education, healthcare, and transportation are barely functioning. Many public institutions are only operating three to four days a week.
"Teachers are on strike, hospitals are dysfunctional, and people are not receiving their salaries," he said. "This has had deadly consequences — people have lost their lives during this period."
Karwan highlighted that during recent protests in the Zînê Wertê area, one demonstrator was killed, yet the government remains unresponsive.
A SOCIETY IN PSYCHOLOGICAL COLLAPSE
Karwan also emphasized the mental health toll of the ongoing crisis. “After 34 years of poor governance, the population is now facing both economic and psychological collapse,” he said.
According to Karwan, rising poverty has led to increased social problems, including a spike in suicides. Many families are unable to meet basic needs, send their children to school, or access medical treatment.
“Meanwhile, the political parties are still haggling over government positions,” he added. “This system is unsustainable. Experts agree: unless governance dramatically changes, the Kurdistan Region faces a bleak future.”