Democratic Party Triumphs in Iraqi Kurdistan Parliamentary Elections
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, securing 809,197 votes, according to the Independent High Electoral Commission. This election, originally planned for 2022, faced multiple delays due to ongoing disputes between the KDP and its rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The turnout for the elections was reported at 72%, indicating a significant engagement from registered voters despite the prevailing economic challenges in the region.
The PUK, historically the KDP's main competitor, garnered 408,141 votes, while the New Generation Party, the largest opposition party, came in third with 290,991 votes. The electoral process unfolded against a backdrop of economic turmoil, exacerbated by a halt in oil exports, which is crucial for the region's economy. In March 2023, Turkey suspended oil flows through the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) pipeline following an International Chamber of Commerce ruling that mandated Turkey to pay $1.5 billion to Baghdad for unauthorized oil exports by the KRG. This disruption has led to delayed salaries for public sector employees and a reduction in funding for essential services, highlighting the challenges faced by the newly elected parliament.
