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New Generation Movement

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New Generation Movement
جوڵانه‌وه‌ی نه‌وه‌ی نوێ
LeaderŞaswar Abdulwehîd Qadir
FounderŞaswar Abdulwehîd Qadir
Founded28 September 2017 (2017-09-28)
HeadquartersSilêmanî, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
IdeologyLiberalism[1][2]
Anti-corruption[3]
Political positionCentre
Council of Representatives
9 / 329
Kurdistan Parliament
15 / 100
Seats in the Governorate Councils
0 / 440
Governors
0 / 18
Website
http://www.ngmovement.com/

The New Generation Movement (Kurdish: جووڵانەوەی نەوەی نوێ, romanized: Cûłanewey Newey Nwê; Arabic: حراك الجيل الجديد) is a liberal[4] political party in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, founded by Şaswar Abdulwehîd in 2017. The party was established to contest the 2018 general election.[5]

The movement positions itself as an alternative to established political groups, advocating for political reform, transparency, and addressing economic and social issues. Its platform includes a focus on anti-corruption, economic liberalization, and social tolerance.[6] The party advocates for women's rights and encourages their participation in both business and education.[7]

Electoral results

[edit]

In the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary election, the movement succeeded in winning 9 seats in the parliament.[8]

Election Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2018 170,919 1.65%
4 / 329
 New 11th
2021 233,834 2.64%
9 / 329
 Increase 5 Increase 8th

Kurdistan region

[edit]

In its first participation in the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, The movement won eight seats.[9] In the second round of elections, the party won 15 seats[10]

Election Votes % Seats +/– Position Government
2018 107,610 8,6%
8 / 111
 Increase 8 Increase 4th opposition
2024 290,991 13.66%
15 / 100
 Increase 7 Increase 3th opposition

Controversies

[edit]

On 22 April 2019, the party's Supreme Council and two prominent members of the Iraqi Parliament, Rabûn Merûf and Serkewt Şemsulddîn published a statement on Facebook, which, among others, read 'The New Generation has been shifted from a political movement different from the dominant political model to a political band in which all of its institutions and the important decision-making bodies have been marginalized.'[citation needed]

They also stated that the New Generation Movement 'no longer enjoys collective decision making'. They accused the party leadership of getting 'involved in business and family to the extent that it is difficult to separate.'[11]

On 25 April 2019, the Supreme Council of the New Generation Movement suspended two of their 'high-profile members' who publicly criticized the party.[12] On the same day, a 'high-level official' of the Movement was arrested by the Silêmanî police, following a complaint by Şadî Newzad, a New Generation MP in the Kurdistan Parliament.[13] She accused the New Generation Movement's leader, Şaswar Abdulwehîd, and some factions within the party of blackmailing her and other lawmakers by circulating nude videos.[14]

Still on the same day, New Generation leader Şaswar Abdulwehîd hîd disputed the accusations of mixing the family, politics and business, and accused the dissident members of the party of 'betraying' him, while speaking from London where he received medical care.[15] He also went on rejecting claims about the lack of collective decision making, saying 'Why didn't they say the decisions were unilateral when I made decisions to make them lawmakers and heads of caucuses?'. Furthermore, he stated 'We have seventeen offices within New Generation: none of my family members are in charge of those offices.' He also hinted about possible KDP (Kurdish Democratic Party, the largest party currently in the Kurdistan Parliament) and PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan involvement, the largest party in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah Governorate); 'This is a disgusting plan by both parties in power, which are the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in Silêmanî and the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Erbil,', he said, adding that he expects 'more [of the same] from both parties in the future,'.[16][17]

In the following weeks, several members of the movement have been arrested including the secretary of the leader, the director of Nalia group (founded by Abdulwehîd) and social media staff members. Some political parties outside the PUK and KDP condemned the arrests, including the Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komel) the Kurdistan Islamic Union (Yekgirtû), and The Freedom Movement of Kurdistan Society (Tevgera Azad).[18]

On 10 May 2019, four arrested members of the New Generation said Abdulwehîd ordered them to threaten Şadi Newzad. They also claimed that the Movement has two social media departments; one that administrates and manages the official social media pages, and the other that uses non-direct accounts and pages to attack political leaders.[19]

On the same day, Abdulwehîd reacted with stating that the Silêmanî Asayiş (which detained the party members and released their confessions) are to blame because they want to 'target and defame' the Movement. He added that 'When we took this path we knew that it is a difficult path. We also knew that changing a system or toppling a KDP and PUK establishment in Kurdistan is not easy'. He stated that 'We will continue and not give up'.[20]

On 16 May 2019, the leader of the Movement, Şaswar Abdulwehîd was detained after appearing in a Silêmanî (Sulaymaniyah) court.[21]

Later, it was stated that Abdulwehîd had gone on a hunger strike, with his health 'unstable' by 22 May 2019.[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Habeeb, Mark (11 November 2018). "Upstart Kurdish party has Iraq-wide ambitions". The Arab Weekly.
  2. ^ Institute, Washington Kurdish (2018-07-27). "New Generation Movement". Washington Kurdish Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  3. ^ "New Generation Movement Leader calls for anti-corruption march across Kurdistan region".
  4. ^ Habeeb, Mark (11 November 2018). "Upstart Kurdish party has Iraq-wide ambitions". The Arab Weekly.
  5. ^ "Shaswar Abdulwahid elected president of New Generation Movement". Rudaw. 5 January 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  6. ^ Institute, Washington Kurdish (2018-07-27). "New Generation Movement". Washington Kurdish Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  7. ^ "New Generation Movement: A new alternative in Iraqi Kurdistan?". Amwaj.media. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  8. ^ "المفوضية العليا المستقلة للانتخابات - IHEC Website المفوضية العليا المستقلة للانتخابات". IHEC Website. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  9. ^ "سەرۆکی جوڵانەوەی نەوەی نوێ هەڵدەبژێردرێت". speemedia.com. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  10. ^ "ERROR". www.rudaw.net. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  11. ^ "New Generation MPs accuse party of abandoning ideals". Rudaw. 22 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  12. ^ "New Generation suspends two dissident MPs". Rudaw. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  13. ^ "High-level New Generation member arrested: Sulaimani police". Rudaw. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  14. ^ "New Generation MP accuses leader of nude video blackmail". Rudaw. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  15. ^ "New Generation leader says he was 'betrayed' by dissidents". Rudaw. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  16. ^ "NEW GENERATION PRESIDENT ABDULWAHID RESPONDS TO CRITICISM FROM MOVEMENT LAWMAKERS". NRT. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  17. ^ "Shaswar Abdulwahid accuses KDP, PUK of trying undermine New Generation". Ekurd. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Security forces arrest 5 in New Generation house raids". Rudaw. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Detained members of Kurdish party confess leader threatened their own MP, others". Kurdistan24. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  20. ^ "New Generation slander confessions are effort to diminish party: head". Rudaw. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2019.
  21. ^ "New Generation leader detained in blackmail, defamation probe". Rudaw. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  22. ^ "Health of New Generation leader 'unstable' as he is on hunger strike : Party". Rudaw. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
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