The Kurdish Election - a Triumph for Gorran

If anyone has won these elections, it is Gorran - the Change List. We are not an established political party, but an assembly of independent and neutral people who saw the need for change for the people of Kurdistan. We are a political organisation only two months old. And still we managed to get 25% of the votes in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Even though the governing parties have tried to hinder us in any way they could, we cracked their ruling power. We came through even though they have prevented us from campaigning by not letting us set up offices, hold meetings, set up flags and posters, or use media freely. Even though they have harassed, threatened, cheated, bribed, and used violence against us, we now are in the parliament to prevent any further misuse of power by the KDP and PUK.

Because we have the support of our people. These crimes against us and terrorism by the KDP/PUK, did not pass unnoticed by the people. If we had been given a fair, democratic and free election we would have won the bigger part of the votes. But instead of being the number one, we are the second biggest party in parliament. That is still a remarkable triumph for Gorran!

We will continue to fight for the democratic rights of our people and will take our complaints to court all the way to the Supreme Court of Iraq. We will do this even though we do not expect fair trials or independent judges. We will not let us be intimidated because we know we are doing the right thing.

I am asking all Gorran supporters to be happy for Gorran's achievement and to be proud over the people that relentlessly kept on working for your rights in Erbil and Dohuk even though their lives were at risk.