Kurdish Parties: Dialogue Key to Resolving Disputes With Baghdad

Kurdistan 04:43 PM - 2025-05-31

The meeting of the Kurdish parties in Pirmam.

In a show of political unity, a number of Kurdish parties convened on Saturday to issue a joint condemnation of the Iraqi federal government's decision to suspend public sector salary payments to the Kurdistan Region—calling the move unconstitutional, politically motivated, and a direct threat to the livelihoods of Kurdish citizens.

The Kurdish parties issue a joint statement following the meeting, which said: "On 31 May 2025, we, the political forces of Kurdistan, convened a joint meeting at the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Pirmam. The discussions focused on the current political situation in Kurdistan and Iraq, the ongoing issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, and in particular, the recent unconstitutional and unlawful decision by the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to suspend the transfer of salaries to public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region."

The statement continued: "After thorough discussion and exchange of views, all participating parties unanimously agreed that this decision constitutes a politically motivated act that undermines the will of the Kurdish people and the political and legal framework of the Kurdistan Region."

Referring to legal and constitutional foundations, the parties emphasised: "In accordance with the Iraqi Permanent Constitution, the ruling of the Federal Court, the Iraqi Civil Service Law, and the existing agreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government, the federal authorities are obligated to uphold their commitments to the people of the Kurdistan Region. The rights of public employees must not be entangled in political disputes. The federal government must abandon any policy that weaponises economic pressure or seeks to starve the Region into submission. Such actions not only deepen existing issues but also ignore the rapidly evolving dynamics in the region—and are ultimately detrimental to all sides."

In conclusion, the statement affirmed the unity and resolve of the Kurdish parties: "As political forces and representatives of all communities in Kurdistan, we extend our deep gratitude to the resilient public employees, Peshmerga forces, teachers, and the proud people of Kurdistan. We reaffirm that our decisions and future actions will prioritise the well-being of our citizens and the broader interests of the Kurdistan Region. While we continue to advocate for dialogue and negotiation as the optimal path forward, we also consider all options to be on the table in defence of the Kurdistan Region’s highest interests."

According to a letter dated 29 May 2025, the Iraqi Minister of Finance declared the federal government would no longer allocate salaries to the Kurdistan Region, citing that its full share of the national budget for the years 2023, 2024, and 2025—approved by Parliament—had already been disbursed. The letter has been criticised by several Kurdish parties as unconstitutional, triggering a range of reactions. As of 31 May 2025, the dispute remains unresolved and the federal government has yet to take further action.

The Iraqi Ministry of Finance’s decision to suspend the salaries of the KRG's employees has significantly escalated tensions between the KRG and the federal government, as the deputy head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc in the Iraqi Parliament has reiterated that dialogue—not political withdrawal—is essential to resolving ongoing disputes, emphasising that the Kurdistan Region remains an integral part of Iraq under the constitution.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Mala Karim Shukr, Deputy Head of the PUK bloc, stated: “The letter issued by the Ministry of Finance has sparked protests not only among Kurdish political parties but also among several Iraqi parties, who insist that the livelihoods of public sector workers in the Region should not be subjected to political wrangling.”

He continued: “The PUK has intensified its efforts in Baghdad to find a solution. We firmly believe that the issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government must be addressed through dialogue—not through political posturing or withdrawal from the political process.”

Shukr emphasised: “According to the Iraqi constitution, which we Kurds supported in the 2005 referendum, we are a fundamental component of Iraq. The political process cannot proceed without Kurdish participation.”

He further underscored the importance of mutual commitment to agreements: “It is essential that the Kurdistan Region honours its agreements with the federal government—particularly those concerning oil and non-oil revenues. In turn, the Iraqi government must ensure that the payment of salaries to KRG employees is handled independently of political disputes, in line with the ruling of the Iraqi Federal Court, which must be upheld.”

PUK Official: Kurdish Withdrawal from Baghdad Not a Solution, Dialogue Is Key

Dr. Majid Mohammed Amin, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Leadership Council who participated in today's high-level meeting in Pirmam, held a press conference following the discussions to share key outcomes and the PUK's stance.

Dr. Amin revealed that a collective decision was made to ensure salaries are provided to public employees in the Kurdistan Region, even if this requires taking out loans. He clarified, however, that no new council was formed during the meeting.

“All parties present agreed that our issues with Baghdad must be resolved through dialogue,” he said. “With today’s united position, we believe that resolving the issue of salary payments for Kurdistan Region public servants is within reach.”

He further addressed discussions surrounding a possible Kurdish withdrawal from the federal political process in Baghdad, stating: “We openly discussed the idea of withdrawal from Baghdad, but the consensus was that it would be a mistake. The solution lies in Baghdad, not in stepping away from it. At this moment, negotiations are our only effective tool.”

Dr. amin also touched on the technical aspect of salary payments, noting that: “The KRG has fulfilled all its obligations to Baghdad. The only remaining issue is the activation of employee salary codes to facilitate direct payments through a bank card system. This could be implemented via the ‘My Account’ platform, which resembles the nationalisation (Tawtin) and aligns with the ruling of the Federal Supreme Court. Turning ‘My Account’ into a Tawtin system would help resolve this problem efficiently.”

He strongly criticised the recent decision by the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to suspend salary payments, calling it a politically motivated move rather than one based on budgetary concerns:

“The Ministry’s decision is not grounded in any accounting dispute or budget shortfall. It is a political decision targeting public employees. No government can justify withholding salaries from its workforce on such grounds.”

Concluding his remarks, Dr Majid acknowledged a positive shift in approach from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), stating:

“All parties shared their opinions frankly during the meeting. It was, in fact, the first time the KDP was this open, and they have taken commendable steps towards resolving this issue.”



PUKMEDIA