Peregraf — The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc in the Iraqi Council of Representatives will return to Baghdad next week and resume participation in parliamentary sessions, according to an informed source cited by a KDP-affiliated media outlet.
The decision marks a significant shift after weeks of political escalation following the disputed election of Nizar Amedi as Iraq's president.
Boycott Began After Presidential Election
On April 18, the KDP announced an indefinite boycott of Iraqi parliamentary sessions after Amedi, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was elected president on April 11 following the failure of Kurdish parties to agree on a unified candidate.
The KDP argued that the process violated constitutional principles and undermined what it described as "partnership, balance, and consensus."
Series of Escalatory Measures
Following the election, the KDP boycotted sessions of the Council of Representatives, refused to attend cabinet meetings chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, and recalled its representatives from Baghdad for consultations.
The party also stated it did not recognize Amedi as a representative of the Kurdish majority.
Political Context
The return of the KDP bloc to parliament comes amid ongoing negotiations over the formation of Iraq's new government and intensified political contacts between Kurdish and Iraqi leaders.
According to the source, the decision to return was made at the direct request of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, who stressed the importance of the KDP's presence as a key and influential force for the success of the government's agenda and Iraq's political process. Iraqi political parties have also called on the KDP to return to parliament and government.
The source added that before returning, the KDP intends to hold discussions with political parties and the prime minister-designate, with an emphasis on embedding the Kurdistan Region's demands within the incoming government's agenda and on the importance of passing several pieces of legislation.
Recent meetings involving Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Iraqi political parties, and Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi have focused on reducing tensions and restoring political cooperation.
The move may signal a broader effort to ease disputes between the KDP and PUK and re-engage in Baghdad's political process.