Sema
Under the leadership of President Barzani, the KDP Central Committee criticized Baghdad for breaching the constitution, emphasized the importance of Kurdish unity in addressing the salary issue, expressed support for strong U.S. relations and energy agreements, called for the swift formation of a new cabinet, and reiterated its preparedness for Iraq’s forthcoming elections.
Under the direct supervision of President Masoud Barzani, the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) convened an expanded session on Monday, with the participation of sector representatives and senior party officials.
The comprehensive meeting addressed several pivotal topics concerning both the internal affairs of the Kurdistan Region and its relations with the federal government in Baghdad.
Federal Government Relations and Constitutional Commitments
The KDP reiterated its foundational commitment to building a new, inclusive Iraq grounded in constitutional values of partnership, consensus, and balance. It recalled Kurdistan’s active participation in the post-Saddam Iraq under the mandate of the Kurdistan Parliament, aiming to construct a nation free of ethnic, religious, and sectarian discrimination.
However, the meeting expressed serious concern over what it described as Baghdad’s deviation from federalism. The committee accused certain authorities in the federal capital of attempting to re-centralize power and of systematically violating constitutional provisions and political agreements. These violations, the committee noted, include the use of public salaries and budget allocations as tools of political coercion against the Kurdistan Region.
The KDP Central Committee firmly supported the position of its Political Bureau on the recent salary crisis and acknowledged the unity demonstrated by Kurdish parties during the May 31 joint meeting. The committee echoed demands for a resolution to the crisis, calling for an end to what it termed as economic punishment of Kurdistan Region’s civil servants.
Kurdish Political Unity and Internal Dialogue
The meeting also reviewed the KDP’s continuous efforts to foster intra-Kurdish unity and political cooperation. The party emphasized its commitment to pluralism and joint responsibility and recounted its recent attempts to forge a united Kurdish front for the upcoming sixth Iraqi parliamentary elections.
Despite the KDP’s calls for alliance-building, some Kurdish parties declined participation. Nevertheless, the committee hailed the successful and constructive dialogue with those that did respond, particularly on addressing the unconstitutional actions of the Federal Ministry of Finance regarding Kurdish financial entitlements.
U.S. Visit and Oil Sector Agreements
A dedicated section of the meeting focused on the recent visit of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to the United States. The KDP lauded the visit as a milestone in fortifying Erbil-Washington relations.
The committee further welcomed the oil and gas agreements concluded during the trip, viewing them as essential steps toward economic recovery for both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, and stressed that these agreements fall within the constitutional and legal jurisdiction of the KRG.
Formation of the Tenth KRG Cabinet
The negotiation committee tasked with forming the next cabinet updated the meeting on the progress made. The Central Committee emphasized the urgency of accelerating the cabinet formation process and reiterated its commitment to facilitating a swift and inclusive transition.
Preparation for Iraq’s Sixth Parliamentary Elections
Finally, the committee overseeing election preparations presented its detailed roadmap for the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections. The committee’s organizational framework and action plans were reviewed and approved, affirming the KDP’s readiness to actively engage in the electoral process.
The expanded meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to uphold the constitutional rights of the people of Kurdistan, defend their economic entitlements, and reinforce both domestic unity and international partnerships.