“We encourage and urge all political parties in the Region to form the government as quickly as possible in the interest of the public and the Kurdish people,” Amb. Romanowski stated.
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, emphasized the need for a “strong and united” government in the Kurdistan Region, citing its pivotal role in ensuring both regional stability and Baghdad’s broader strength.
Her remarks came during an interview with Shafaq News, where she commended the recent parliamentary elections while urging political parties to overcome divisions for the public good.
Romanowski described the Oct. 20 elections as “relatively smooth,” praising their adherence to democratic principles despite isolated cases of fraud or manipulation.
“We commend the process of the Region elections, which were relatively smooth and reflected democratic procedures,” she said. “There were only a few instances of manipulation or fraud, which were rejected and challenged. Additionally, the voter turnout was high compared to previous years, leading to results that reflected the diverse viewpoints within Kurdistan.”
The ambassador outlined two critical aspects of the electoral process. “The first aspect involves organizing and conducting the elections, which was successfully achieved,” she explained. “The second aspect is the formation of a new government that represents the will of the Kurdish citizens who participated and expressed their opinions through the ballot boxes.”
However, Romanowski highlighted the challenges ahead, particularly the need for reconciliation among political factions. “Now the full responsibility lies with the various political parties in the Kurdistan Region to form the government. This is where the difficulty lies, especially amid a lack of trust between different parties.”
Despite these hurdles, Romanowski urged Kurdish political leaders to act swiftly. “We encourage and urge all political parties in the Region to form the government as quickly as possible in the interest of the public and the Kurdish people.”
She further stressed that a cohesive government is essential for effective dialogue with Baghdad, particularly on financial and energy issues. “Dialogues with the central government concerning the financial and energy sectors require a strong government to reach decisive decisions. This benefits both Baghdad and Erbil, leading to a correction of the course between the two sides,” she added.
The sixth parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region, held across four electoral districts, concluded on October 20, 2024, with the final results announced on Oct. 30. The elections reflected a broad spectrum of political perspectives, underscoring the Region’s democratic vitality.