Kurdistan Region Parliament to resume sessions from May 2

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region Parliament will resume sessions from May 2, a day after the current coronavirus lockdown is set to expire. 

"We intend to resume parliament sessions from May 2 while committing to the health instructions," parliament speaker Rewaz Fayaq told reporters on Wednesday.

"Two months have passed since the spring lawmaking term year started. We have to resume the sessions," Fayaq added.

Towards the end of February, the KRG started to enforce the closure of public places and announce a “public holiday” across government offices as part of a string of tough measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Kurdistan Region has so far confirmed 372 cases of the virus, with 43 active cases. 

The last parliamentary session was held on March 4. 

The closure of government institutions is set to expire on May 2.

The speaker says that there are many bills which need to be passed to help boost the Region’s economy.

"We all agree that bills favouring the people of the Kurdistan Region and help boosting the economy, protect domestic products and diversifying sources of income must be turned into laws," she said. 

“The subject of salaries is a fundamental matter,” she added. 

According to the parliament's bylaws, the Kurdish legislature holds sessions in terms running from March to July, and September to January.