Peregraf — KRI President Nechirvan Barzani stated he did not meet with Iraqi President Nizar Amedi during his recent visit to Baghdad, citing the position of his party, while expressing respect for the office.
Responding to a question on whether he would meet with Amedi, Barzani said: "We have respect for His Excellency the President. He is Kurdish and one of our own. We may not be able to visit him this time, but God willing, that issue will also be resolved."
No Meeting With President
Barzani spent two days in Baghdad holding talks with Iraqi leaders and political parties but did not meet with Amedi, reflecting a prior decision by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) not to engage with him.
Amedi, a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was elected president on April 11, 2026, after Kurdish factions failed to agree on a unified candidate following the November 2025 general elections.
KDP Boycott Continues
Following the disputed election, the KDP has taken a series of escalatory steps:
* Announced an indefinite boycott of Iraqi parliament sessions.
* Boycotted cabinet meetings led by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.
* Withdrew its representatives from Baghdad for consultations.
In a statement, the KDP parliamentary bloc said the decision was driven by what it described as violations of the constitution and the principles of "partnership, balance, and consensus."
The party also stated it does not recognize Amedi as a legitimate representative of the Kurdish majority.
Deepening Kurdish Divisions
The standoff underscores growing divisions between Iraq’s main Kurdish parties, particularly the KDP and PUK, at a time when negotiations over forming a new federal government under Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi are ongoing. These internal frictions persist alongside broader regional tensions, including the US-Israel War on Iran.
Barzani’s remarks suggest that while political tensions remain high, there may still be room for future engagement.