At a Glance

• KDP ends council boycott.
• Return follows citizen requests.
• Bloc resumes oversight role.
• Participation begins in upcoming sessions.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has ended its boycott of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, announcing it will resume participation in council meetings to represent citizens and oversee the administrative process.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• The KDP announced its return during a press conference on Tuesday.
• "The decision came after a thorough review of the situation," the bloc said.
• Members said the return was made at the request of citizens and other political blocs.
• The bloc said it will focus on oversight, public services, and protecting the rights of all communities in Kirkuk.

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KDP Announces Return to Provincial Council

The Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Kirkuk Provincial Council announced on Tuesday, July 28, that it is ending its boycott and returning to council meetings.

Speaking at a press conference, KDP bloc member Shokhan Haseeb said the decision followed a comprehensive review of the current situation and was made to serve the people of Kirkuk.

According to the bloc, the decision to return was made in response to requests from citizens, as well as other political blocs represented in the provincial council.

Shokhan Haseeb said the KDP intends to strengthen its oversight role, adding that citizens view the bloc as their representative and want their concerns reflected in council decisions.

The KDP said its return will allow members to participate in upcoming council sessions and decision-making processes.

Bloc members said their role will focus on facilitating citizens' administrative affairs, serving the city, and safeguarding the rights of all ethnic and religious communities represented in Kirkuk's local government.

For You: Through Our Lens

In August 2024, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) faction boycotted the Kirkuk Provincial Council session held at Baghdad's Rashid Hotel, where Rebwar Taha of the rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) was elected as the province's governor without KDP or Turkmen representation.

Reaffirming its opposition to the leadership structure formed during that controversial session, the KDP reiterated that it would not participate in council processes that imposed decisions outside the true will of the city’s legitimate representatives or marginalized key ethnic components.

The party framed its ongoing boycott as a principled stance against power-sharing deals brokered in "dark rooms," emphasizing that it refused to compromise on national rights or dignity merely to secure administrative posts.