Shafaq News – Duhok
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani on Tuesday called for the passage of five key federal laws, including electoral reform, full implementation of Article 140, and the long-delayed Oil and Gas Law, which has remained stalled since 2007.
Speaking at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2025) in Duhok, Barzani described the post-Saddam era as a missed but still viable opportunity for Iraq to rebuild on principles of balance, consensus, and equality, stressing that while the 2005 constitution is flawed, it remains a strong legal foundation if properly enforced.
Barzani called the recent parliamentary election a chance to reset national priorities and rebuild public confidence, praising both the Independent High Electoral Commission and voters for a smooth, credible process.
Outlining urgent priorities, he pushed for amending what he called an “unjust” electoral law, forming the constitutionally mandated Federation Council, establishing the Federal Supreme Court, implementing Article 140 to resolve Baghdad-Erbil territorial disputes, and enacting the Oil and Gas Law to regulate natural resource management.
Read more: Iraq’s Oil and Gas Law: A step toward resolving Baghdad-Erbil disputes
He warned against parallel power structures, declaring that “there must be no statelets within the state,” and demanded equal rights and services for all Iraqis, particularly in neglected regions of central and southern Iraq, where frustration over “failed” governance continues to grow.
Addressing internal Kurdish dynamics, Barzani revealed he had called for a unity government before the election—a proposal that was ignored—and urged Kurdish parties to seize the post-election moment to form a cohesive regional cabinet capable of negotiating effectively with Baghdad.
“The circumstances are no longer what they were before the election,” the Kurdish leader cautioned, urging parties to heed his call for unity in forming the next cabinet.
Read more: Six months of stalemate: Kurdistan’s government formation crisis deepens
Barzani’s comments came as Iraq wrapped up its sixth parliamentary election since 2003, with turnout exceeding 56%, and the KDP securing over 1.09 million votes and 26 seats—retaining its position as the country’s largest Kurdish bloc and one of the top forces in parliament.
The MEPS 2025 forum, held from November 17–19 at the American University of Kurdistan, convened regional leaders, diplomats, and academics under the theme: “Managed Chaos – A New Middle East?” Now in its sixth edition, the forum is co-hosted with Cambridge University, the Atlantic Council, Carnegie’s Crisis Response Council, and the London School of Economics.
Read more: Million-Vote Moment: What the KDP’s surge means for Kurdistan and Baghdad