PM Masrour Barzani: Partnership with Kurds Depends on Full Implementation of Iraq’s Constitution

PM Masrour Barzani: Partnership with Kurds Depends on Full Implementation of Iraq’s Constitution

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stressed on Wednesday that any political bloc seeking to work with the Kurds after Iraq’s November 11 parliamentary elections must commit to fully implementing the Iraqi Constitution without selectivity or political interpretation.

Speaking at the sixth Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) forum, he said the Kurdistan Region’s demands are clear: constitutional obligations must be honored in their entirety.

Call for a clear constitutional framework with Baghdad

Prime Minister Barzani emphasized that relations between Erbil and Baghdad should be regulated strictly according to constitutional articles defining powers and responsibilities. However, he noted that several key issues remain unresolved because successive governments in Baghdad have failed to apply the constitution consistently.

“Disputed territories remain one of the main challenges,” he said, adding that the absence of a federal hydrocarbon law has further complicated relations. Barzani criticized Baghdad’s continued reliance on pre-2003 legislation, stating that such laws are incompatible with today’s federal system.

Budget and salary disputes

Barzani also addressed the long-standing budget and salary crises, saying any solution must respect the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region.

He highlighted the repeated interference of the Iraqi Finance Ministry in the Region’s financial affairs, calling it a violation of the principles of federalism. “Kurdistan must receive its fair share of the budget without federal ministries dictating internal financial policies,” he said.

KDP’s leading position in the national elections

Following the certification of election results, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) emerged as the single largest party in Iraq with 27 seats and over 1.1 million votes. Barzani pointed out the imbalance between votes and parliamentary representation, comparing the KDP’s result to the State of Law coalition, which secured more seats with fewer votes.

Discussions on forming Iraq’s new government

Coalition negotiations are shifting into focus as political blocs begin talks to form the next federal cabinet. Barzani said voters prioritized services and good governance, and emphasized that future governments must uphold rule of law, stability, and accountability.

The prime minister criticized the lack of enforcement mechanisms in Iraq, noting that repeated constitutional violations go unpunished. He referenced drone attacks on Kurdish oil facilities last summer, saying that those responsible were identified but faced no real legal consequences.

Delay in forming the new KRG cabinet

Turning to internal Kurdish politics, Barzani addressed the stalled formation of the new Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet after the October 2024 elections. Despite initial progress between the KDP and PUK, talks broke down over disputes regarding positions.

The KDP won 39 seats while the PUK won 23, yet Barzani said his party offered concessions that exceeded the PUK’s electoral weight. He argued that the PUK appeared unwilling to form the government prior to Iraq’s elections, possibly expecting different outcomes in Baghdad.

Barzani said negotiations will now resume based on the new political realities shaped by the Iraqi results, expressing cautious optimism that the cabinet could be finalized by the end of the year.

Service projects and public confidence

The prime minister highlighted major service projects delivered by his government, including the Runaki 24/7 electricity initiative, infrastructure development, educational support programs, and the MyAccount digital banking system.

He also announced two new initiatives: Bloom, designed to expand credit access for young people, and e-Psule, which will enable fully digital payment solutions across the Region.

He said ongoing digital transformation efforts will continue into the next government cycle, particularly in financial and public service sectors.

Syrian Kurdish reconciliation and KRG’s supportive role

Prime Minister Barzani expressed pride in hosting Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi and Mohammed Ismail of the Kurdish National Council for the first time at MEPS. He said the goal is to actively support peacebuilding rather than simply discuss it.

The prime minister emphasized that any future political framework in Syria must guarantee inclusivity and protect the rights of all communities. “A constitution must give every component a sense of belonging,” he said.