Masoud Barzani: Election result shows Iraqis punished those who took unconstitutional action against people of Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, has proposed the launch of a council that would prevent unilateral rule and violations of Iraq’s Constitution until a Federal Council is established.

During a speech he gave to his party’s supporters and cadres from Kirkuk and Garmiyan, Barzani said the status quo of Kirkuk and disputed areas between Erbil and Baghdad is unacceptable.

The situation of Kirkuk and the Kurdistani areas outside of the Kurdistan Region’s administration should be resolved through Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, Barzani explained. He also stressed that the occupation of those areas must not become the status quo.

“We have always believed that Kirkuk should be a sample of peaceful coexistence between its components,” the KDP President added, stressing that there is no concession over the Kurdistani identity of Kirkuk.

During the meeting, Barzani highlighted the Iraqi government’s violations of the constitution over the past two years that led the people of the Kurdistan Region to hold an independence referendum.

Regarding negotiations between the Iraqi political parties over the formation of the new government, he reiterated three principles where unilateral rule would not be accepted. According to Barzani, the new government should be formed on the basis of true partnership, consensus, and balance between all components.

The Kurdish leader revealed that parties in the Kurdistan Region are in serious talks with the Iraqi parties to establish a supreme council for policy and strategic planning to ensure major government decisions are made with the consent of the components until the Federal Council is established.

The establishment of the federal council will help prevent unilateral rule, violation of the constitution, and crimes against the people of Kurdistan, Barzani explained

“Those who oppressed our people have tried to spread hatred among the Iraqi people, but the elections results showed that the people of Iraq punished those who took unconstitutional actions against the people of Kurdistan.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany