PUK and KDP seek greater foothold in Baghdad, says Kurdish MP

Rudaw Net

28-02-2025

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish political parties are looking to strengthen their footholds in Baghdad through upcoming Iraqi elections to resolve 'tangled issues' such as disputed areas and federal budget shares, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament said at the Erbil Forum on Thursday.
'We notice a growing interest to enhance the Kurdish presence in Baghdad through parliament,' said Aso Faraidoon, an MP from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), adding that he anticipates both the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) will strive for a more effective participation in Baghdad, especially to address the lingering issues of disputed territories such as Kirkuk and federal budget allocations amid regional uncertainties.
'The impact of regional and international influence on Iraq in the upcoming period may be higher in the coming months', Faraidoon said. 'We don't know what the nature of the relationship between the United States and regional states will be like, in part Syria.'
Iraqi parliamentary elections are tentatively scheduled for October 2025.
Faraidoon anticipated a high voter turnout if Muqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement decides to re-enter the political arena, potentially mobilizing voters in the predominantly Shiite central and southern provinces.
Rafi' Abduljabbar Azzawi, a former Iraqi MP from the Sadrist Movement was also on the panel at the forum. He noted that Sadr's February 19 call for his supporters to update their voter registration records 'does not necessarily indicate a shift in his stance on participating in Iraq's upcoming elections, but rather to urge Iraqis to take a stand in the critical period ahead.'
In 2021, Sadr announced he was withdrawing from politics despite achieving a decisive victory, winning 73 seats in the election. He condemned political corruption in his announcement. His participation in the upcoming elections could significantly impact voter turnout and, subsequently, the trajectory of the political process in Iraq.
Raed Fahmi, secretary-general of the Iraqi Communist Party, speaking on the panel highlighted the need for a 'strong state of institutions' and censured the 'sectarian and ethnic foundations' that have led to a 'fragile state incapable of delivering services.'
He pointed to low voter turnout numbers and said Iraq needs to move toward a state of citizenship rather than a state divided along sectarian lines.
Mustafa Ayash al-Kubaisi, secretary-general of the National Monument Party, reflected on the historical lack of Sunni political preparation in post-2003 Iraq, which he said has resulted in divisions and weak political representation.
'The Sunnis did not prepare an agenda for the post-2003 phase, which left the decision and representation of Sunni-majority provinces in limbo,' Kubaisi said. He attributed the historically low voter turnout in Sunni regions to internal disputes and a lack of faith in true political partnership.
As Iraq prepares for its next elections, the challenges of voter apathy, political fragmentation, and regional instability remain significant hurdles. While Kurdish parties are positioning themselves to strengthen their role in Baghdad, concerns over governance, legitimacy, and electoral fairness continue to loom large over Iraq's political future.