The establishment of a 40-seat opposition in the new Kurdistan Parliament was arguably the first visible sign of the region’s nascent democracy making some headway in the federal Kurdistan Region.

While the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) - which formed the Kurdistani List and won the elections on 25 July - try to figure out the new cabinet, something else is stirring in the political arena.

The Iraqi parliamentary elections, set for January of next year, will be a significant political battle for not just Iraqi Shiite and Sunni factions but also the Kurds who this time around may not be entering as a united list. The Gorran (Change) List, led by the former deputy secretary general of the PUK Nawshirwan Mustafa, has announced that after winning 25 seats in the new Kurdistan Parliament, they will be entering the January elections as a separate entity from the Kurdistan Alliance List.

“If a number of Kurdish lists enter these elections separately, Kurdish interests when under threat will unite them, but it is better for us to be united as it shows others our unity and strength. If we didn’t have one Kurdish voice in Baghdad in these last four years we would have lost out on a number of things,” said Abd Zebari, a member of the Iraqi Parliament.

As Iraqi Arabs along with neighboring countries and foreign observers keep a close eye on developments, political observers have said that this stance will divide and weaken the Kurdish position in Baghdad. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mustafa said: “We do not believe that Kurdish unity is having a single Kurdish list, we believe that Kurdish unity is having one Kurdish line.”

“If we talk about elections and differences and wanting to compete for different roles, representatives and increasing the Kurdish voice, I think this is better done through different independent lists,” said Mohammad Ahmed, a member of the Kurdistan Islamic Union in the Iraqi Parliament.

The opposition has argued that it is possible to work towards a common goal but enter into the elections as separate political entities. Others are not so sure.

“I voted for Gorran in the Kurdistan elections but I will not vote for them in the Iraqi elections because I believe that it is important for all Kurds to be united in Baghdad. I am in favor of them competing among themselves in Kurdistan but we should be together in Baghdad,” said Naz Shareef, an engineer.

“I see a strong possibility of multiple Kurdish lists in the next Iraqi elections,” said Ahmed, adding that multiple lists will lead to more transparency.

Those who favor separate independent lists argue that the people of Iraq have been familiar with lists entering as Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds for more than half a decade now and that the time has come for variety.

Feryad Rawanduzi, a member of the Iraqi Parliament, said: “According to political demographics after the elections of the Kurdistan Region, it’s not likely that Kurds will be going into the Iraqi elections as one list. New Kurdish political entities have a newfound confidence and want to enter the elections independently.”

Rawanduzi added that in the current Iraqi parliament there are two Kurdish lists, the Kurdistan Alliance and the Kurdistan Islamic Union, the former which has 53 seats and the latter five seats. He explains that despite this they are still viewed as one in parliament.

“When they speak of an important Kurdish issue, they see us as having 58 seats. The worry is that if there are lots of small independent Kurdish lists that unity will weaken especially in regards strategic issues,” he says. But others contest that the time is not yet right for Kurds to follow their own path in Baghdad.

“There is still the possibility that Kurds may enter into the elections as one list. The political situation in Iraq has not reached a stage where Kurds should no longer fear that their interests will be threatened. For example, the disputed territories have yet to be resolved so entering as one list is the greatest support for the Kurdish cause and in particular these issues,” said Zebari. 

“What is important is that Kurds have one stand in parliament and in Baghdad. It is inconceivable that Kurds be divided on Kurdish matters in Baghdad. If there is a law against Kurdish interests, every Kurd would oppose it and having separate lists will not change that unity,” said 37-year-old journalist Shadman Atoof.

Zebari explains that there are certain parts of Iraq that do not believe in the Kurdish cause or attach any significance to it and often sideline them. He adds that one united list will show Kurds as a powerful entity with great strength. As January approaches, it remains to be seen if it is every Kurd for himself.