The colour blue and a new Kurdish voice

The colour blue and a new Kurdish voice

The green flags of the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) and the yellow posters of the KDP - the Kurdish Democratic Party are still ever so present, but its the blue flags and banners that seem to stand out in the city of Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq. That is the colour of the Goran movement – the relatively new Kurdish opposition party.

Goran means "change" in English, and change it has brought to this region.

The two traditional Kurdish parties – the PUK and the KDP no longer dominate the political landscape. In fact, their grip on the semi-autonomous region has weakened.

Many here have become frustrated at what they consider a corrupt administration – one that has failed to improve basic services and provide jobs.

Goran secured enough seats in the Kurdistan Regional Government's parliament in local elections last year to become a challenge.

For the first time since 2003, Kurdish politicians will lack unity. But that doesn't seem to bother Goran's supporters. I went to one of their rallies and most of them will tell you that they welcome new parties because it brings about a real democracy.

But the question is how will this new reality affect the Kurds' political influence in Baghdad? After all, Sunday's national elections is not just about rival Kurdish parties vying for parliamentary seats, it is about Kurds wanting to expand their influence in Baghdad.

That's influence they need if they want to resolve pending Arab-Kurdish issues, like the fate of Kirkuk and other disputed territories, the oil law and the status of federalism.

It is still not clear if Nawshirwan Mustafa, the head of the Goran movement, will co-operate with his Kurdish rivals in the next Iraqi parliament. "I hope we do," is what he told me an hour before he addressed a crowd of his supporters.

The kingmakers?

Goran has been running on an anti-corruption platform and ethnic reconciliation. "I am an Iraqi and a Kurd," is what Mustafa told the crowd.

But Mustafa knows his people all too well. "Kurdish rights in the Iraqi constitution won't be compromised" – he can't say otherwise if he wants votes in this region.

"We can have different blocs and lists but with a united discourse about important issues in Iraq," Mustafa told me. "And after the elections and the results, we will decide according to the political platforms of other groups [in] parliament … on who our allies will be. But until now we have no alliance with any group."

Some have called the Kurds kingmakers in the formation of any government in Iraq, others say they are tie-breakers. No doubt they have been major players and Arab parties – themselves deeply divided – have always had to court the Kurds.

No one coalition is expected to emerge victorious in the election – alliances will have to be made to be able to head a government.

That disunity allowed Kurds to push for their rights before, but there is a fear that could change.

The KDP-PUK Kurdish alliance has accused Goran of making post-election deals with some Arab parties. '"If Goran continues to make agreements with the Turkmen, the Arab governor of Mosul and some chauvinist Arab and Kurd groups to gain more seats, this will harm the Kurdish issue," Imad Ahmed, a member of the PUK political bureau told me. "No doubt when we are not united, we are weaker … just look at our history".

Goran has brought change to Kurdish politics, and it comes at a critical time. Kurds have been battling with the central government which has been trying to reduce their powers.

It is unlikely however Kurds will speak in different voices when it comes to their national agenda.

But Kurdish leaders agree their strength is not just from a united voice but the alliances they forge in Iraq.