Kurdistan
During the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani speaks on October 29, 2024. Photo: Rudaw/screengrab
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The “successful” parliamentary elections restored the Kurdistan Region’s legitimacy in Baghdad and internationally despite being held two years overdue, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said on Tuesday, as the Region awaits official results of the vote.
“It was an important election for the Kurdistan Region for the restoration of legitimacy to all government institutions in the Kurdistan Region,” Barzani said during the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in Erbil.
He praised the positive voter turnout of 72 percent, labeling it a “clear sign” that the Region’s citizens believe in democracy.
The Kurdistan Region held its long-overdue elections on October 20. The preliminary results were a landslide victory for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which garnered nearly twice as many votes as the runner-up Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
On Monday, Iraq’s electoral commission said it will “most likely” announce the final results for the vote on Wednesday, ten days after the vote was held.
“Now, we are waiting for the official results of the election … and I hope all sides accept them,” Barzani said.
“Reality is different from expectations. Many [political] fronts had different results before the vote and now they changed their perspectives after the [preliminary] results,” he explained, calling on all parties to accept the results.
Many parties criticized the vote as fraudulent and rigged. The Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), People’s Front (Baray Gal), and the National Stance Movement (Halwest) said they would release evidence of wrongdoing at a later date.
On Saturday, Komal announced that it will withdraw and not join the parliament. They are projected to have won three seats.
As a deputy leader of the KDP, Barzani praised his party, affirming it “will be truthful with its messages of development, peace, coexistence, stability, and resilience.”
During his speech, the premier praised the progress made by the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Region, such as an ongoing digitalization initiative, the provision of job opportunities, and combating corruption.
“We have still not reached the final stage,” he added.
While speaking of the cabinet’s achievements, Barzani said that only the “foundation” has been laid and that the final product will bear fruit in the coming years, stressing that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is committed to providing “equal services to all citizens.”
“If we want to develop together as a nation, we must assist the private sector so it develops. When this happens, job opportunities will automatically increase and the youth will be more satisfied,” he said, praising the Region’s security and stability as a key factor for attracting international investment.
Peshmerga unification
The prime minister also touched on ongoing unification efforts for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
“I will say very honestly, the Peshmerga is a source of pride for all of Kurdistan. Every person who has done Peshmerga duty … is a source of pride,” he stated.
Although the Peshmerga forces are under the authority of the Peshmerga ministry, the force’s two largest units are divided among the KDP and PUK.
Unit 70 forces are affiliated with the PUK and Unit 80 forces are controlled by the KDP, making up the majority of the Peshmerga forces, amounting to over 100,000 troops.
“I have respect for Units 70 and 80. It is true that they had political affiliation, but they also fought as Peshmerga and gave many martyrs and sacrifices,” Barzani said. “For the Peshmerga ministry to supervise all Peshmerga affairs, there is a serious effort ongoing.”
"All political fronts have agreed on this program, that the Peshmerga Units 70 and 80 will gradually become smaller in size until they all fall under the umbrella of the ministry," he continued.
Over the past few years, the KRG has put the unification of the Peshmerga forces on its agenda, and while reasonable steps have been taken towards unification and a number of brigades controlled by the PUK and the KDP have been added to the ministry, many remain to do so.
“The Peshmerga ministry must be the only entity responsible for Peshmerga,” Barzani affirmed.
Erbil-Baghdad ties
Describing relations between Erbil and the Iraqi federal government in Baghdad as in a “good phase,” Barzani said that many outstanding issues have been resolved and the KRG will continue efforts to address the issues further.
Baghdad and Erbil have been at loggerheads on several issues, including the Kurdistan Region’s share in the federal budget, the salaries of civil servants, and the export of Kurdish oil through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline.
Erbil has repeatedly accused Baghdad of not making regular payments of its share of federal funds. Last year, Iraq passed a three-year budget in which the Kurdistan Region's share is 12.6 percent. Baghdad has claimed it has fully implemented its financial obligations to the KRG, including through loans to assist the Region in paying the salaries of its civil servants. Erbil’s share was increased to 14 percent for 2024.
“I hope that the leadership in Baghdad views all Iraqi citizens the same,” Barzani said, adding that if Kurdish citizens begin believing that they are the same as any Iraqi citizen, it will increase their confidence.
He also commended the “largest number” of KRG delegations that have visited Baghdad in recent years to resolve issues such as salary disputes.
The MERI forum, themed “Towards Good Governance & Prosperity,” brought together global and regional diplomats, policymakers, and intellectuals to discuss Iraq and Middle Eastern challenges.
On the first day, panelists explored Iraq’s regional partnerships, international engagement, and shifts in its relationship with the United States, with discussions highlighting Iraq's evolving focus on governance, security, and economic diversification.
This year’s agenda includes in-depth discussions on evolving global and regional power dynamics, US policies in the Middle East, peace efforts in the Levant, Iraq’s regional role, addressing Iraq’s internal fragility, and exploring international models for financial reform. Other key topics include Iraq’s political economy, institutionalizing center-periphery relations, and promoting ethno-religious coexistence.
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