Shafaq News – Erbil

Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani said on Wednesday that political change in Iraq must come through elections, emphasizing the need to build institutions rather than concentrate power in individuals ahead of the November 11 polls.

Speaking at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in Erbil, Barzani described Iraq’s democracy as a transitional phase but noted that progress in recent years should not be underestimated.

The Kurdish president also pointed to improved security compared to six years ago, and commended Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for progress in public services and infrastructure.

Iraq’s stability depends on building strong institutions rather than concentrating power in individuals, he stated, warning that personalizing state structures undermines democracy and fuels public disillusionment.