PUK List 222 Prioritises Balanced Relations Between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad

Reports 01:24 PM - 2025-10-25

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Relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad occupy a central place in the agenda of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as presented through its List 222 for the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections. The PUK emphasises that the full implementation of the Iraqi Constitution — particularly the articles related to the rights of the Kurdistan Region — serves the citizens of the Region, strengthens relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and benefits both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government.

PUK's Agenda for Relations Between the Region and Baghdad

Restoring and maintaining constructive relations between the KRG and the federal government remains a key priority. In this relationship, populist rhetoric, demagoguery, and empty slogans must not prevail; a radical and practical approach is required to address ongoing challenges.

1. Implementation of Constitutional Provisions: Ensure full application of all constitutional articles, particularly those safeguarding the rights of the Kurdistan Region.

2. Continuous and Constructive Dialogue: Maintain ongoing dialogue with the federal government to resolve outstanding disputes, including issues related to Kirkuk, areas outside the Kurdistan Region’s administration, the Region’s share of the federal budget, and matters concerning the Peshmerga forces.

3. Genuine Partnership in Federal Decisions: Guarantee effective participation and representation in federal ministries, security agencies, federal bodies, and diplomatic missions abroad, ensuring the Kurdistan Region has a meaningful voice in national governance.

4. Oil and Gas Law: Advocate for the passage of an oil and gas law that respects the rights of the Kurdistan Region, clearly defines powers, and ensures constitutional justice for all parties involved.

The PUK: A Bridge Between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq

The PUK believes that each stage of Iraq’s political process has its own unique challenges and that dialogue, coupled with practical steps, is the best approach to resolving outstanding issues. Under the leadership of President Bafel Jalal Talabani, the party has taken measured and constructive steps to build a stable and cooperative relationship between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

Nabaz Majid, candidate No. 22 of PUK's List 222 in the Erbil constituency, told PUKMEDIA: “Relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad are crucial and decisive, as they directly affect the daily lives of citizens. The PUK aims to reshape these relations from a new perspective — one rooted in the Iraqi Constitution.”

He continued: “The PUK is a rational party. It understands what Iraq expects from the Kurdistan Region and what the Region should expect from Iraq. The party is working to untie the complex knots between the two sides in action and far from harsh and threatful language. It aims to connect the two sides in a new form. ”

Majid added that the PUK seeks to play a vital role in restructuring Iraq’s economy, improving administrative and international relations, maintaining national reconciliation, and revitalising markets across the country.

Strengthening Ties to Improve People’s Lives

The PUK maintains that improving relations between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad will have a direct and positive impact on citizens’ livelihoods, particularly through progress on key legislation such as the oil and gas law.

Bestun Abdulrahman, candidate No. 14 of PUK's List 222 in the Sulaymaniyah constituency, told PUKMEDIA: “Within the framework of its general policy and parliamentary agenda, the PUK will continue to work for stronger relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, in order to ensure a better and more dignified life for the Kurdish people.”

He added: “The PUK leadership has been working for many years to resolve outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad. In the next term, our parliamentary members will strive to influence policymaking, particularly to amend or pass a unified oil and gas law that safeguards the rights of both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq — away from narrow political interests.”

Continuing Mam Jalal’s Legacy

Since the fall of the Ba’ath regime in 2003, the PUK has consistently worked to strengthen ties between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government. Under the leadership of the late President Mam Jalal, the PUK played a pivotal role in drafting and adopting the Iraqi Constitution of 2005, ensuring that the Kurds became genuine partners in the federal government within a legal and constitutional framework.

Today, guided by President Bafel Jalal Talabani, the PUK continues this legacy, striving to reinforce and develop relations between Erbil and Baghdad in the best interests of all citizens of the Kurdistan Region.

The PUK is contesting the 2025 Iraqi parliamentary elections, scheduled for 11 November, across several governorates, presenting its candidates on an independent list numbered 222 in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah (including Halabja), Duhok, Kirkuk, and Diyala. In Nineveh Governorate, the PUK is running as part of the "Nineveh People’s Union Coalition" with number 281, while in Saladin it is fielding one candidate within the "National Masses Coalition" with number 240.

Overall, the PUK is entering the elections with 156 candidates: 36 in Sulaymaniyah, 30 in Erbil, 5 in Duhok, 24 in Kirkuk, 28 in Diyala, 31 in Nineveh within the Nineveh People’s Union Coalition, and one candidate each in Saladin and Baghdad.



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