Kirkuk provincial council meeting sparks controversy as Turkmen Front boycotts
The controversy stemmed from electing Rebwar Taha as governor of Kirkuk and Mohammed Hafez as speaker of the provincial council during a meeting in Baghdad, known now as "The al-Rasheed Meeting".
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kirkuk Provincial Council is set to convene this Saturday, but tensions are already running high.
The Turkmen Front, holding two seats on the council, has declared its refusal to participate in the meeting.
According to reports, the Turkmen Front has refused to attend the meeting, stating that it will not participate in any council meetings or assume its positions within the local government until the judiciary resolves the legal status of the new administration in Kirkuk.
The controversy stems from a recent meeting held at the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, during which members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Turkmen Front, and an Arab coalition elected Rebwar Taha as the new governor of Kirkuk and Mohammed Hafez as the speaker of the provincial council.
Read More: Kirkuk Provincial Council elects new governor amid boycott by key parties
However, the ITF has since condemned the meeting as illegal, arguing that council members were not properly informed and that the appointment process violated the law governing Kirkuk province.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Turkmen Front criticized the swift issuance of the republican decree appointing the new governor, calling it the fastest decree in the history of Iraq's political process.
The ITF emphasized that it respects the Federal Court’s decisions but remains committed to pursuing its rights and challenging what it views as clear legal violations in the appointment process.
The KDP, the Turkmen Front, and the Arab coalition had previously denied their participation in the controversial meeting, underscoring their concerns over the legality of the proceedings and their lack of prior notification.
Legal Disputes and Political Standoff
- Turkmen Front's Stance: The Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) asserts that it will abstain from attending meetings or assuming positions within the local government until the judiciary clarifies the fate of the newly formed administration.
- Recent Elections: In a session held in Baghdad, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Turkmen Front, and Arab coalition factions elected Rebwar Taha as governor and Mohammed Hafez as the speaker of the Kirkuk Provincial Council.
Accusations of Illegality
- Uninformed and Illegal: Prior to the meeting, the KDP, Turkmen Front, and Arab coalition factions issued separate statements denying their participation. They labeled the meeting as "illegal" and emphasized that they were not adequately notified.
- Fastest Republican Decree: The appointment of Kirkuk's governor via a republican decree raised eyebrows. The ITF points out that this decree, while respecting the Federal Court's decision, contains legal violations.
Upholding Rights
The Turkmen Front remains steadfast in its demand for justice and asserts that only the Unified Turkmen Front List has the authority to nominate committee members. As legal battles continue, the fate of Kirkuk's local government hangs in the balance.
