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Nijervan Barzani and His Vision of Electoral Participation
Today, as the Iraqi parliamentary elections approach, the question about the nature of Kurdish participation, its objectives, and how this participation can translate into principles of genuine partnership and political balance in managing the Iraqi state is renewed.
The Kurdish participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections is an opportunity to renew the commitment to federal democratic Iraq and to affirm that the Kurds are an essential part of the Iraqi national fabric. It also underscores their commitment to building a state of institutions and the rule of law—a state that respects diversity and guarantees the rights of all its components.
This is why Najervan Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region, emphasizes that the success of the democratic process in Iraq depends on the ability of all parties to move beyond narrow quotas and quotas-based politics and shift towards genuine partnership. This requires sincere political will, a comprehensive national vision, and a firm belief that Iraq’s strength lies in its diversity, and that its stability begins with respecting the rights of all its citizens.
The President of the Kurdistan Region also underlines that this participation primarily affirms the inclusive Iraqi identity. It sends a clear message that Kurds are an integral part of the Iraqi national fabric and that they are concerned with Iraq’s future as a whole, not just with their regional affairs. This enhances the concept of shared Iraqi citizenship and fosters a collective national affiliation.
He believes that strong participation in the elections means protecting constitutional gains. The Iraqi constitution of 2005 represents a social contract among all Iraqi components, guarantees Kurdish rights, and recognizes federalism as a system of governance. Strong participation means protecting these gains, working to develop them, and ensuring that constitutional rights of the people of Kurdistan are not undermined.
From this perspective, the Kurdish determination to participate in the Iraqi parliamentary elections is not just a routine democratic practice; it is an expression of a firm belief in democratic federal Iraq and a commitment to active participation in shaping its future.
Past experiences have proven that the Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi Parliament has always been a factor of balance and moderation in the political scene. Active Kurdish participation contributes to political stability, prevents harsh polarization, and drives towards consensus and national agreements.
Iraqis—Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Christians, Yazidis, and Mandaeans—have paid a heavy price for democracy and freedom. It is now time for these sacrifices to be translated into tangible reality through justice, partnership, and shared prosperity. Baghdad must be the heartbeat of a united and diverse Iraq—a homeland that prides itself on its pluralism, respects the particularities of its components, and where every citizen feels at home among his people.
Nouri Beikhali
