Kurdistan parliament to enter summer recess despite political stalemate
Erbil emergency water project enters testing phase
Blaze scorches hundreds of dunams in Sulaimani province
Explosive drone crashes in Duhok camp housing Yazidis
President Barzani, former Iraqi deputy PM discuss Baghdad-Erbil ties, regional developments
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's parliament began its summer recess on Monday without holding regular sessions. The ongoing political deadlock has delayed the formation of a new government.
'Parliament's summer recess begins today, July 1, and will continue for two months,' Rupak Ahmad, a member of the legal committee during the previous parliamentary term, told Rudaw on Tuesday.
'Under normal circumstances, parliamentary sessions should resume on September 1 [and continue] until January 31 of the new year, and then they will go into winter recess again for two months,' she added.
Kurdistan Region's long-delayed parliamentary election was held in October but the political parties have yet to reach a final agreement to form a new cabinet. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said that the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have agreed on a cabinet agenda, adding that the door remains open for other parties to join.
Amid the stalemate, lawmakers have convened only once in December without electing a speaker or deputies. The session ended without significant decisions and was adjourned indefinitely.
In May, Omar Gulpi, a lawmaker-elect from the opposition Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal) - who is yet to take the oath of office - filed a lawsuit with Iraq's Federal Supreme Court challenging the legitimacy of the Kurdish parliament. He argued that the legislature's failure to meet regularly invalidates the October election results and called for new elections and the return of benefits granted to lawmakers.
In April, the PAY Foundation for Education and Development, a Kurdistan-based NGO that monitors legislative performance, criticized Kurdish lawmakers for collecting salaries despite the parliament not sitting.
Soran Hussein contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
43 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Israel intercepts missile from Yemen, shuts airspace
Shafaq News – Middle East/Sanaa On Tuesday, Israel's military announced the interception of a missile launched from Yemen, prompting widespread alarm across central Israel and a temporary closure of the country's airspace. 🛑 مشاهد موثقة لعبور الصاروخ يمني أجواء فلسطين المحتلة باتجاه الكيان الصهيوني — قناة المسيرة (@TvAlmasirah) July 1, 2025 Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Israel remarked, 'Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen.' No group has officially claimed responsibility. An Iraqi security source explained that the spectacle witnessed in the skies was the result of the interception, caused by the detonation of explosive materials and fuel during the high-altitude collision between the missiles outside Earth's atmosphere. The flash produced multicolored visual effects that were visible over parts of western Iraq, ncluding the Najaf desert, Al-Anbar's wilderness, the Rutba area, also over Syria and Lebanon.
Shafaq News
44 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
MP: Political divisions freeze Iraqi Parliament
Shafaq News – Baghdad Rifts among Iraq's ruling coalition have paralyzed parliamentary activity and derailed votes on major legislation, a lawmaker revealed on Tuesday. Mukhtar al-Moussawi, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, told Shafaq News Agency that ongoing disputes between the blocs forming the government have reduced Parliament to little more than attendance. 'There's no consensus—sessions may be held, but without real outcomes,' he remarked. The deadlock has already obstructed key legislation, including the Federal Budget Law and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law, he added, warning that continued disagreement could prevent sessions from taking place altogether. Al-Moussawi also criticized the government's role in deepening the impasse, describing an atmosphere where election campaigning has crossed legal boundaries. 'Political money is flooding the scene while Parliament remains idle—and ultimately, it's the Iraqi people who pay the price,' he added. With fewer than a week remaining before the end of Iraq's parliamentary recess, the stalemate has drawn growing concern. Several lawmakers have confirmed behind-the-scenes pressure from party leaders to delay sessions and block sensitive legislation, allegedly aiming to shield the government and some factions from controversy ahead of the November 11 elections.
Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
Syrian government under fire for arresting Kurdish journalist
Also in Middle East Turkish intel chief discusses PKK with Kurdish leaders in Erbil Family of two Iraqis killed in Turkey demand justice Ministry confirms two Iraqis killed in Turkey Yazidi young man rescued 11 years after ISIS captivity A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The recent arrest of a veteran Kurdish journalist by the Syrian interim authorities in Damascus has sparked widespread outrage among international and local rights groups and political parties. His whereabouts remain unknown. Hassan Zaza, the editor-in-chief of Noos Social media outlet, was arrested in Damascus on Friday for unknown reasons and taken to an unknown location, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPT). 'The secret detention of journalist Hassan Zaza, without any explanation from Syrian officials, reflects a nationwide pattern of press intimidation,' Sara Qudah, CPJ's regional director, was cited as saying in a CPJ statement on Monday. 'Syrian authorities must immediately disclose Zaza's whereabouts, ensure his safety, and drop any charges related to his journalistic activities.' Mohammad al-Saleh, Director of Press Relations at Syria's Ministry of Information, confirmed Zaza's detention to the CPJ, stating that it was related to "security concerns" and that it had nothing to do with his journalistic work. He added that if Zaza is not found guilty, he could be freed this week. Several Syrian rights groups and political parties have condemned Zaza's arrest. The Kurdish-held autonomous administration in north and East Syria (Rojava) said in a statement on Saturday that Zaza's arrest is a "clear violation" of international human rights. "We consider this action an assault on press freedoms," it added, calling for his immediate release. Kurdistan Democratic Party of Syria, Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network, and Free Media Union were among political parties and rights groups condemning the arrest of Zaza. Zaza was a senior member of Free Media Union. 'We still have no information about his whereabouts or the reason for his arrest,' Avin Ibrahim, co-chair of the Rojava-based Free Media Union, told CPJ. 'The Syrian government bears full responsibility for the safety of our detained colleague Hassan Zaza, as well as any journalist who may be at risk in the future. These ongoing violations against journalists must end.'
