Barzani's party wins Iraqi Kurdistan parliamentary election: IHEC

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has taken the lead in the latest parliamentary election for Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, clinching 39 seats, according to results released by the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on Wednesday.

This outcome places the KDP in prime position to steer the next regional government, reaffirming its influence in Kurdish politics.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the KDP’s historical rival and coalition partner, finished second with 23 seats. Voter turnout reached a significant 72%, highlighting robust public participation in the region’s political process.

With the KDP commanding the largest share, it’s anticipated to take a stronger role in leadership, though governance is expected to continue under a power-sharing model with the PUK, which has been in place since 1992.

Here is the official seat breakdown from the election:

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP): 39
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK): 23
New Generation Movement (Newey Nwê): 15
Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) (Yekgrtu): 7
National Stance Movement (Rewtî Helwêstî Nîştimanî): 4
Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal): 3
Towards the People (Berey Gel): 2
The Alliance of the Kurdistan Region (Hawpeymani Kurdistan): 1
Change Movement (Gorran Movement): 1

In this 100-seat parliament, five seats are designated for minority groups, leaving the remainder largely controlled by the KDP and PUK. Opposition parties, with limited influence, are unlikely to disrupt the balance of power between the KDP and PUK.

Speaking at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) forum, PUK President Bafel Talabani emphasized the importance of the post-election phase, stating that while he was satisfied with the election process, “the real work begins now.” He underscored the PUK’s role as a crucial partner in any government formation, calling a coalition without the PUK “impossible.”

Initially slated for 2022, the election was postponed several times due to ongoing disputes between the KDP and PUK, a factor that analysts believe could continue to delay government formation.

The election outcome underscores a long-standing rivalry between the Barzani-led KDP and the Talabani-led PUK, which has historically split control of the region.

The Barzanis hold sway over Erbil and Duhok governorates, while the Talabanis dominate Sulaimani, creating a politically and geographically divided Kurdish region.

Both political families have faced routine accusations of corruption but remain deeply embedded in the political framework of Iraqi Kurdistan.

With the KDP poised to take a commanding position in the new government, all eyes are on how the KDP and PUK will negotiate another term of shared governance.

On October 26, Ali Bapir, leader of the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), previously known as the Kurdish Islamic Group (KIG), declared that his party would abstain from participating in the Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament. He cited serious concerns regarding alleged electoral manipulation as the reason for this decision.