Latif Nerwayi: The Government’s Discrimination Was Clearly Exposed During This Campaign

PUKMEDIA

Latif Nerwayi, Head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Media Board.

Latif Nerwayi, Head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Media Board, has stated that the campaign for Iraq’s parliamentary elections revealed clear political discrimination within the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), highlighting the difference between the responsible media approach of the PUK and the partisan conduct of rival parties.

Speaking to PUKMEDIA, Nerwayi said: “We have concluded the final stage of the campaign for the Iraqi parliamentary elections. What pleases us most is that all PUK media and journalists faithfully carried the message and policy outlined by the Political Bureau of the PUK — particularly the messages of President Bafel Jalal Talabani — which were directed to voters across the Kurdistan Region and the disputed areas [areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad due to Arabisation policies of the former Iraqi regime]. We adhered to that policy responsibly and in full compliance with the instructions of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).”

Nerwayi emphasised that PUK media delivered a message grounded in responsibility and objectivity — free from hatred and misrepresentation. In contrast, he said, rival media, particularly those affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), focused less on addressing critical issues such as relations with Baghdad, public sector salaries, and the Region’s budget, and instead sought to mislead the public and attack the PUK.

“Their campaign attempted to distract the Kurdish people from the key issues affecting their daily lives,” he explained. “However, it had one unintended consequence: it exposed many truths that had long been hidden from the public.”

Nerwayi pointed out that the campaign made it evident that the KRG’s governance is marked by clear regional discrimination.

“We have always said there is discrimination between the different areas of the Kurdistan Region — between the so-called ‘yellow’ and ‘green’ zones. They used to deny it, claiming equal treatment. Yet, during this campaign, they themselves confirmed the difference. When projects were inaugurated, they openly described them as ‘KDP projects’, proving that this cabinet is entirely party-based, not a genuine partnership.”

He noted that PUK and Gorran ministers were often sidelined and excluded from inaugurating projects they had overseen.

“This demonstrates that the current government is not one of partnership or equality. Even when ministers completed major projects, they were not informed, invited, or allowed to participate in their opening ceremonies. That speaks volumes about the nature of governance under the current administration,” he said.

Nerwayi stressed that such actions have strengthened the PUK’s determination not to participate in any future government dominated by a single political party.

“This admission by the KDP confirms our stance. President Bafel Jalal Talabani and the PUK leadership are resolute — we will not join a government controlled by one party that claims every achievement as its own. We want a genuine partnership government that serves all the people of Kurdistan, not a cabinet painted in one party’s yellow colour.”

He added that the campaign had opened the eyes of the Kurdish public to these realities. 

He said: “The people now understand that while the PUK strives to improve governance and living conditions across Kurdistan, others remain preoccupied with partisan interests — seeking to brand every project and achievement as belonging to their party alone. That is the key difference between us and them.”

Nerwayi concluded by urging voters to consider these lessons carefully when casting their ballots.

“This campaign showed the people of Kurdistan how important it is to restore balance to our political system. Every voter should think about ending discrimination and regionalism. Power must not be monopolised by one party. We need a government that serves all citizens of Kurdistan — in every city, town, and district — without bias or discrimination,” he said.

The electoral campaign for the Iraqi parliamentary elections, scheduled for 11 November 2025, concluded on Friday, marking the end of weeks of intense political activity across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.




PUKMEDIA