Masoud Barzani: Election Results Already 'Predetermined,' Will Not Change Parties’ Seats

Peregraf– Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani said the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections will not alter the distribution of parliamentary seats, asserting that the results have effectively been predetermined.

Speaking at the KDP’s final campaign rally in Erbil, Barzani said the party entered the elections for two reasons. The first, he explained, was in response to requests from political allies inside and outside Iraq. "Many of our friends in Baghdad told us that while these elections may not change the seats, they will help return the political process to its correct path and open the door for genuine reforms," he said.

The second reason, he added, was to demonstrate the KDP’s political weight.

Barzani stressed that the KDP has "a clear vision" for Iraq’s political future. He outlined key priorities should the elections create an opportunity to reset the political course, including reforming the electoral law.

He criticized the current election system as "unfair," claiming it benefits only a limited number of parties. Barzani argued that the law should revert to a single constituency based on a party list or semi-open list.

"It is not fair that a seat in Erbil requires 40,000 votes with 70–80% turnout, while in a southern province the same seat requires only 2,000 votes with turnout below 20%," he said.

Barzani said the KDP will push to form a federal council to protect the rights of all parties, in addition to passing tax, oil and gas legislation in line with the constitution.

He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to implementing Article 140 to determine the status of disputed territories.

Barzani emphasized the need for Iraq to return to three foundational post-2003 principles—partnership, balance and Compatibility—saying they form the spirit of the constitution.

"If those principles return and the constitution is respected, Iraq will not face internal problems, neither between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad nor within the provinces," he said.

He added that adherence to the constitution would prevent political actors from "arbitrarily" manipulating the Kurdistan Region’s budget and salaries, calling previous actions against the region "a great injustice" and "an insult to the blood of our martyrs."

Addressing the tense internal political situation, Barzani accused the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of delaying the formation of the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). He said the pre-election conditions for KRG cabinet formation will not remain in place after the vote.