Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – In a press conference, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani commented the recent Iraqi parliamentary elections and called on the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to address concerns about allegations of discrepancies.
Prime Minister Barzani stated, “I want to offer my congratulations to the people of Iraq in general and to the people of the Kurdistan Region in particular for their participation in the recent elections of members to the Iraqi Council of Representatives. We hope and look forward to all political parties, investing their time and efforts, to better serve all the people of Iraq.”
He said that, “following the formal proclamation of the election results, negotiations will begin in Baghdad to form a new government, and we the Kurdistan parties will seriously be a part of that formation process.”
Prime Minister Barzani thanked the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and security forces for the successful elections. He highlighted participation of the citizens of the Kurdistan Region as notably higher than in other parts of Iraq.
He added that a new phase is ahead for Iraq and hopes a new government will be formed based on partnership. He said the unity of the Kurdistan parties is crucial, as it is necessary to stand together as a single voice in Baghdad. He stated, “we will not play favorites with any coalition. Soon our delegation will be going to Baghdad to engage with all coalitions and parties.”
Prime Minister Barzani stated, “The people of the Kurdistan Region deserve the Presidency of Iraq and other posts in the next government, but the issue for Kurdistan’s people in Baghdad is primarily not related to posts. We, in the Kurdistan Region, have waited for the implementation of the Constitution for 13 years, but [the principle of] partnership had lost its sense in Iraq.” He also noted that the people of Kurdistan held the Independence Referendum after they were totally left with no choice to obtain their constitutional rights. He hoped that the Constitution will be fully implemented, and all Iraqi people will live in a peaceful and prosperous environment.
About the concerns that six parties in the Kurdistan Region raised about the election results, Prime Minister Barzani said, “the commission must take all necessary measures to clarify the situation regarding the voting concerns of the six parties in order for the Kurdistan delegation be able to go to Baghdad with a unified voice.”
Prime Minister Barzani also expressed his party’s support for a manual recount of votes in Suleimaniya, Kirkuk, or any other places in the Kurdistan Region to enhance confidence in the election results and satisfy the concerns of the six parties. He emphasized the IHEC should treat this matter seriously.
Regarding the visit of a U.S. delegation headed by Mr. Brett McGurk, US Special Presidential Envoy to the Global Coalition, Prime Minister Barzani said they discussed the election process and he felt the U.S. does not have a favored party. He said, “They think this is an Iraqi issue and they want a government that serves all the people of Iraq. The delegation is planned to meet with other parties and also with President Masoud Barzani.”
About the Kurdistan Region elections to be held on September 30th, Prime Minister Barzani said that “All parties should discuss and decide whether the presidential, parliamentary and local elections be held at the same time. We as the Kurdistan Democratic Party, we have no issue with that. We are ready to participate in the elections.”
Regarding the Christians in Kurdistan and in the Nineveh Plain he stated, “they should live in their traditional homeland peacefully in a way where they have full security and hoped the new government will clearly hear their voices and effectively address their concerns.”