Erbil, Iraq – The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Masrour Barzani, affirmed on Thursday that the ongoing political developments in Baghdad represent “the first concrete step towards forming the new Iraqi government.” He also expressed his support for Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi in his anticipated mission to lead the next phase.
Support conditional on the constitution
This came in a speech delivered by Barzani during the inauguration ceremony of a vital and strategic bridge in the autonomous Soran region, north of Erbil Governorate. Barzani clarified that the Kurdistan Region’s position remains firm in supporting the formation of a strong federal government, provided that the region’s constitutional rights are “protected, guaranteed, and non-negotiable.” He also emphasized that Kurdish participation in the political process in the Republic of Iraq will be “active and influential,” primarily aimed at safeguarding the rights of the people of Kurdistan and ensuring political and economic stability for all Iraqis.
The regional prime minister added that Erbil is striving to build relations with Baghdad at the highest levels of coordination. He expressed optimism that the al-Zaidi government’s term would contribute to improving the overall situation and strengthening bilateral cooperation. He hopes that outstanding issues between the central government and the region will be resolved within the legal framework.
Arranging the Kurdish house
In a related matter, Barzani did not neglect internal affairs, urging Kurdish political forces to expedite the reactivation of the Kurdistan Parliament and the formation of the new regional government. This aims to ensure the continuity of development projects and the provision of services to citizens amidst current challenges.
The decisive moment in parliament
Barzani’s statements come at a highly sensitive time, as the Iraqi parliament is scheduled to hold an extraordinary session today, Thursday, to vote on the ministerial program and cabinet presented by Ali al-Zaidi.
Despite the prevailing optimism, informed sources indicate that the final decision is still pending. Al-Zaidi is continuing to scrutinize the names of candidates for some key ministerial posts that remain undecided. This comes amidst attempts to reconcile his technocratic vision with the pressures exerted by political blocs. Everyone is still waiting to see the outcome of the parliamentary vote.