At a Glance

• Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued a statement emphasizing that parliament is the supreme institution representing the will of all people in Kurdistan.

• Barzani called on all political forces to actively participate in the reactivated parliament and address differences with a spirit of national responsibility.

• He expressed hope that the step will help overcome political stalemates and foster better conditions for mutual understanding and cooperation.

• The president underscored that political stability and the protection of regional institutions remain a shared responsibility for all parties.

Information received by Channel8 indicates that Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has welcomed the reactivating of the Kurdistan Parliament, urging a unified approach to navigate current political challenges.

Key Messages from the Presidential Statement

• Overcoming Deadlocks: Barzani expressed optimism that parliament's reactivation will serve as a catalyst to break existing political impasses and create a more favorable environment for inter-party collaboration.

• Dialogue and Consensus: Highlighting that inclusive dialogue, consensus, and partnership among all political forces form the bedrock for resolving disputes, he noted that facing regional hurdles requires a cohesive front.

• Shared Responsibility: Maintaining political stability and safeguarding the institutions of the Kurdistan Region is a collective duty incumbent upon every political actor.

FYI

The Kurdistan Region Parliament held a session on Wednesday with 52 lawmakers participating to elect its presidency, appointing Vala Fareed as Speaker, Rami Nouri as Deputy Speaker, and Muna Qahwachi as Secretary. 

The session proceeded after the KDP and minority caucuses formally requested to continue the initial sitting that had remained open since December 2, 2024.

Major political blocs did not attend the session, stating that the meeting bypassed national consensus and lacked legitimacy. 

While Parliament Diwan Chief Ardalan Muhammad noted the absence of full cross-party attendance, Speaker Fareed directed all factions to submit nominees for the Legal Committee by next Monday.

PUK spokesperson Karwan Gaznay stated yesterday that the Kurdistan Parliament meeting is illegal, describing it as an attempt to impose the will of a single political party while disregarding genuine partnership. 

Gaznay called on all regional factions to boycott the assembly, asserting, "We appeal to every loyal individual and national force that cares about the entity of the Kurdistan Region not to participate." 

The PUK spokesperson rejected the legitimacy of the outcome, adding, "If the principle of democracy is to influence the decisions of parliamentarians through bribery, threats, and psychological pressure, then within that cartoonish framework, we will not recognize any parliament or government that results from such meetings."

Meanwhile, KDP spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammed stated that the session was held "in the presence of a majority of lawmakers" and maintained that the parliamentary presidency was elected through "a legal and democratic process." Mohammed emphasized that the activation of the legislature was not aimed at any specific group, expressing hope that "the factions of other parties will make a positive decision to participate in protecting the legitimacy and entity of the Kurdistan Region."

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