New Generation Movement caucus chief Kazim Faruq speaks to reporters on June 28, 2021 (NRT Digital Media)
2021-06-28
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SULAIMANI — As the Kurdistan Parliament gathered on Monday (June 28) for a session about the financial state of the Kurdistan Region, New Generation Movement caucus chief Kazim Faruq was prevented from entering the parliamentary grounds for an eighth time.
New Generation has pushed hard over the last several months to get such a session, arguing that the legislative leadership has neglected their responsibilities by not holding a debate about critical and controversial issues like cuts to public sector salaries, the Region’s debt burden, and corruption.
The lack of debate has also reinforced the perception that the Kurdistan Parliament has failed in its duties to provide oversight of the government.
The session will be attended by members of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Council of Ministers.
“We are not apologizing to some people who robbed others and cut their salaries,” Faruq told reporters gathered on the street outside the compound.
“I am not here just for myself; I am representing 200,000 voters,” he added.
On March 31, Faruq threw his shoes in the direction of the speaker’s dais during an argument over the legislature’s priorities and agenda, which he argued should include discussions about public sector salaries.
The other lawmakers then voted to exclude him until he apologizes, which he has refused to do.
The other three MPs from New Generation said that they would carry on with working to hold the government to account.
(NRT Digital Media)