KDP Official Welcomes U.S. Position on Elections

Former Foreign Minister of Iraq and senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official Hoshyar Zebari on May 2 welcomed the United States’ acknowledgement that it does not object t

KDP Official Welcomes U.S. Position on Elections

Former Foreign Minister of Iraq and senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official Hoshyar Zebari on May 2 welcomed the United States’ acknowledgement that it does not object to delaying the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections for a short period.

“The recent US State Department position on postponing the Kurdistan regional election for a short period is honorable and reasonable to ensure inclusive participation,” Zebari posted on X.

“This is wisdom for a free, just and credible election for the people of Kurdistan and Iraq at large.

In a statement released on March 18, the Political Bureau of the KDP announced that the KDP would boycott the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 10. 

The KDP decision to boycott the elections came after rulings by the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq that have undermined the institutions of the Kurdistan Region and eliminated quota seats for minorities within the region.

The elections have been delayed several times since October 2022.

The rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and opposition parties have insisted on holding the elections on June 10.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and top Iraqi leaders recently discussed the upcoming Kurdistan parliamentary elections in Baghdad.

“We understand that President Barzani and various Iraqi authorities and other political parties are actively considering next steps,” U.S. Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters on April 30.

“From our point of view, we would encourage them to schedule free, fair, and timely elections, and we hope that process takes place.”

After President Barzani’s visit, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani met with the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission Omar Ahmed Mohammed and underlined that the elections should “include the participation of all societal components within the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.”


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