As the election campaign for the 100 seats in the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) gets underway, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader has made serious accusations against the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The PUK alleges that the KDP has betrayed Kurdish interests by selling-out Kurdistan and colluding with the enemies of the Kurdish people.
On 25 September, as the election campaign formally began, Bafel Talabani and Qubad Talabani, sons of the late Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and leading figures in the PUK, sharpened their attacks on the KDP’s governance.
In a video released by Bafel Talabani, he stressed the need for the PUK’s renewal and called for an overhaul of the political landscape in the Kurdistan Region or Iraq (KRI).
Talabani underlined the pivotal importance of the forthcoming elections, arguing that they represent a critical juncture for the region. He called for a rigorous evaluation of the KDP’s record, particularly as the party has controlled key ministries in the KRG for successive years. He openly questioned whether the KDP has genuinely protected the rights of the Kurdish people and safeguarded Kurdish territory.
In another part of his video address, Bafel Talabani accused the KDP of foresaking Kurdistan in exchange for ensuring his own political survival and aligning itself with external forces hostile to Kurdish interests.
He highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the region, pointing to the constant presence of foreign drones over Kurdistan, which he claimed pose a severe threat to the lives of Kurdish people.
Furthering his critique, Talabani denounced the KDP for prioritising its own interests above the welfare of the Kurdish people. He referenced the delays in paying monthly salaries, despite the fact that the KRG had been allocated money from the Iraqi central government. He alleged that the KDP funnels these funds exclusively through its own banks.
Talabani also condemned the repressive political atmosphere in KDP-controlled areas, citing the frequent arrests of writers and activists, who are often branded as terrorists for voicing dissenting opinions or posting comments on social media.
Meanwhile, Channel 8 reported on a heated verbal altercation between Qubad Talabani and Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the KRG. During a tense exchange, Qubad Talabani allegedly warned Barzani:
“We will end you [r rule]. You will no longer be able to steal the people’s votes.”
Media outlets reported that Masrour Barzani abruptly adjourned the Council of Ministers’ meeting, following this sharp rebuke
The election campaign in the Kurdistan Region is set to continue until 15 October, with 1,191 candidates competing for 100 parliamentary seats.
