Masoud Barzani calls for Kurdish unity during speech marking KDP's 72nd anniversary

Speaking at the KDP’s 72nd anniversary held in Erbil on Thursday, President Masoud Barzani called on Kurdistan’s political parties to turn a new page and work together to achieve more accomplishments.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, has called on political parties in the Kurdistan Region to join his party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in creating a joint front in Baghdad.

Speaking at the KDP’s 72nd anniversary held in Erbil on Thursday, Barzani called on Kurdistan’s political parties to turn a new page and work together to achieve more.

Earlier in the day, the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that it had delivered final results of the recent disputed national election to the Federal Supreme Court for ratification.

The process of forming the next Iraqi government will begin within 15 days of the Supreme Court’s ratification of final election results.

“It is time for all parties to review themselves and turn a new page,” the KDP leader stated.

He added that his party is always prepared for collaboration and brotherhood with all sides, noting all past accomplishments have been achieved through unity.  

Regarding the situation in the Kurdistan Region, which is preparing to hold its elections on Sep. 30, Barzani said steps toward reform are vital in addressing everyone’s complaints.

“Reform can be done after holding our local elections and establishing a strong, new government so we can all support it to eradicate shortcomings and begin fundamental improvements in all aspects,” he stated.

Ahead of the polls in Kurdistan, some parties have called for a delay. Barzani stressed that holding elections on time is a solution for the Kurdistan Region’s current situation, expressing his party’s rejection of any postponement.

“I hope instead of thinking about postponing the elections, [the parties] think about how to do whatever it takes to hold transparent, free, and fair elections, and prevent any problems in the elections process,” the KDP President said.

 “As the KDP, we are against postponing the elections and we will not support postponement.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany