KDP and PUK Discussed Reactivating Iraqi – Kurdish Parliament Before Independence Referendum


nsnbc : The two main ruling parties in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region (KAR) of Iraq, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) discussed reactivating the suspended parliament of the KAR in a way that would best facilitate the process of the anticipated referendum on independence from Iraq and the founding of an independent Kurdish state. The referendum is expected to be held in 2017.

Erbil_Kurdistan Flag over Erbil_(archives)On Sunday the KDP and PUK issued a joint statement on Sunday saying that they would cooperate with regard to reactivating the region’s parliament in a way that best facilitates the referendum on independence, expected in 2017.

The PUK, earlier this month, surprised the KDP by joining the Change Movement (Gorran) in its call to reactivate the parliament before holding the referendum. The talks between the KDP and the PUK are probably aimed at finding common ground as the KDP insisted that it was unnecessary to reactivate parliament. The politbureaus of  the KDP and PUK, headed by Kurdistan Region’s President Masoud Barzani, and Kosrat Rasul, respectively, met in Pirmam on Sunday.

In their joint statement the parties noted that they had discussed “the manner of reactivating the Kurdistan parliament in a way that serves the process of a referendum and independence, as well as national unity.” However, no details about what “a way that serves the process of a referendum” were released. The Constitution of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region stipulates how such a referendum can be held, and it requires an act of parliament and lawmakers who can vote freely.

Earlier this month the PUK, in a surprise move, joined Gorran in insisting that a referendum requires a mandate from parliament. Parliament has not convened since it was suspended in 2015 and after Gorran’s parliamentary leader was denied to enter the city of Erbil. PUK and Gorran held a meeting on Saturday on the issue of independence.

Sunday’s meeting between the KDP and PUK is their third on the issue of the referendum in April, and the fourth in 2017. On April 11, they met and decided to form a committee consisting of seven political parties, five major Kurdish parties, plus two seats reserved for the Turkmen and Christian minorities. The committee has not yet been set up yet due to major political differences, especially between the KDP and Gorran.

About a year-and-a-half ago, security forces in Erbil, largely under the control of the KDP, blocked the speaker, a Gorran party member, from returning to the capital where the parliament is located. Gorran along with the Islamic Union, and the Islamic Group (Komal), all members of the Kurdish coalition government, also say they are in favor of the referendum, but that it must have a mandate from the parliament. Reactivating parliament may help solve some of the must pressing disputes between the KDP and Gorran and facilitate reconciliation and dialog.

Also discussed during the joint KDP – PUK meeting on Sunday was the ongoing financial crisis that has afflicted the Kurdistan Autonomous Region since early 2014. The polit bureaus also discussed a roadmap proposed by the PUK that addresses the internal and external challenges faced by Kurdistan. No details of this discussion were disclosed.

F/AK – nsnbc 24.04.2017



Source Article from https://nsnbc.me/2017/04/24/kdp-and-puk-discussed-reactivating-iraqi-kurdish-parliament-before-independence-referendum/

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