Kurds may withdraw from Iraqi political process

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Representatives of Kurdistan Region in the Iraqi parliament vowed to withdraw from the political process if demands were not met earlier this week.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum held a meeting with Kurdish ministers and heads of the Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament on Wednesday in Baghdad. 

The Kurdish blocs released a statement in a press conference following the meeting, stating that Kurds support any efforts for reforming all aspects that aim to eradicate corruption and bring about social justice and improve the lives of Iraqis.

Kurds are continuing to participate in the political process in Iraq based on real partnerships, the statement said. “Kurds will not accept any decrease in its shares in Iraqi government posts and any violations of the rights of representatives of Kurdistan in the name of reform will be strongly rejected,” the statement affirmed.

According to the official Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP) spokesperson on Tuesday, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani believes that changing ministerial posts in the Iraqi Federal Government holds no importance since this lacks real partnership.

Reform is not only about changing ministerial posts, but real reform requires a real response to demonstrators’ demands, and there needs to be comprehensive reform within the executive, legislative, judicial and independent institutions,” the statement added.

The statement additionally emphasized that changing ministerial posts in Baghdad is no longer relevant from Barzani’s perspective, “because the principle[s] of real partnership in the Iraqi government has been violated and no longer valuable. What is the value of a ministerial post when there is no genuine partnership?”

Reporting Baxtiyar Goran
Editing by Benjamin Kweskin