PUK President: We are Mam Jalal’s Party, We Fight for All of Kurdistan

PUKMEDIA

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), spoke at the grand carnival in Koya to introduce the candidates of PUK's List 222 for the Iraqi parliamentary elections. President Bafel affirmed the PUK’s vision of service for all parts of Kurdistan, saying: “We will not join any government that does not treat the entire Kurdistan Region equally.”

At the beginning of his speech he delivered at the carnival, President Bafel greeted the Christian community and the people of Koya, expressing his pleasure that elections were once again being held. 

“It’s good that elections are held once again. Maybe the governor of Erbil remembers that Koya is also a part of Erbil,” he said.

He stressed that the PUK’s goal is to ensure fairness across all governorates: “We will not enter a government unless every city in Kurdistan is treated and served equally.”

The PUK President said: “Yesterday, I was speaking with a comrade of mine from Washington who asked me what colour Koya was — meaning which party the people of Koya would vote for. I replied, ‘I will not answer — the people of Koya will answer you tomorrow.’”

President Bafel noted that the PUK’s strength comes from its people: “We are strong, we are stronger this time — strong with your strength. When the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is formed, I swear we will not do what other parties do. We promise all people of Kurdistan that we will treat everyone equally, regardless of their party or background. We are Mam Jalal’s party, and we fight for all of Kurdistan.”

He added that the PUK’s support extends across the entire Kurdistan Region: “We are loved all over Kurdistan — in the west, north, and east. If elections were held across all four parts of Kurdistan, the PUK would be number one.”

President Bafel added: “We created the Kurdistan Region with your blood, and we will protect it and defend it in Baghdad.”

Speaking about the Kurdistan Region's salaries and the period before reaching an agreement with Baghdad, President Bafel said: It was a difficult time when salaries were not being sent, and they were saying that they will not do that and will not accept that.”

He added: “At that time, a delegation from Baghdad offered to pay the salaries of Sulaymaniyah and this side only. The PUK’s response was clear — we said, ‘Thank you, but we will not accept that.’ For us, Erbil, Duhok, and Badinan are also green. If this offer had been made to another party, they would have accepted it.”

He said: “This is what distinguishes the PUK from other parties — we view all of Kurdistan as one. That is why the PUK is respected in Baghdad; we are your power there. Even our adversaries in Baghdad respect the PUK, because they know we are honest and that we treat everyone equally.”

Speaking about the party’s achievements, President Bafel said the PUK had served the Kurdistan Region through its representatives in Baghdad: “Sometimes our words are harsh, but we act with a pure heart and never betray anyone. With 18 seats, we served the people of Kurdistan as much as the other parties all together. Now, I ask you to send us to Baghdad with more votes and more seats, so that we can serve you even more.”

President Bafel also stressed  “We are not only fighting for the budget and salaries; we are fighting for water and electricity. The great budget is in Baghdad. If we don't turn Baghdad into an enemy ourselves, Baghdad will be ready to send us that budget. We must struggle so that all of Kurdistan are treated equally.”

He said: “Strategic projects and major investments come from Baghdad. I asked the governor of Kirkuk to construct a road between Kirkuk and Taqtaq, a project that would improve traffic flow, boost trade and benefit many communities. Why has this not been done by the KRG? We do what we say. We are the only ones fighting for your rights in Baghdad. No one else can, and no one else would.” 

Addressing Christians and other communities, he pledged: “From today, we will serve our Christian brothers and all communities more than ever.”

Finally, he urged voters not to abstain: “The biggest mistake is to stay at home or abstain from voting or voting for a party that doesn't do anything and only says I won't accept. Vote for the party that has sacrificed for Kurdistan. Go and make the ballot boxes green to show that the PUK is your power in Baghdad. Our candidates will go to serve you, and negligence will not be tolerated.”

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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