Dr Ayat Adham: PUK’s Growing Influence in Baghdad Reflected in Parliamentary Victory

P.U.K 11:08 AM - 2025-11-30

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani and winning candidate Dr Ayat Adham.

Dr Ayat Adham, the winning candidate of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) within the Reconstruction and Development Coalition in Baghdad, has affirmed that the frequent visits of PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani to the Iraqi capital send a clear and powerful message: the PUK holds significant political weight in Baghdad and is an influential force in the ongoing government formation negotiations.

Legislative Priorities: Reform, Modernisation and Public Interest

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kirkuk TV, Dr Adham said that amending outdated laws and introducing new legislation would be among her top priorities in the forthcoming parliamentary term.

She noted that several laws were passed under circumstances that no longer reflect today’s realities. “There are many laws that require amendment, as well as the need to enact new legislation that serves the public interest and the Iraqi people as a whole,” she said.

Highlighting her professional background, she added: “As a pharmacist, the health sector will be the focus of my efforts to amend and enact laws.”

Dr Adham also stressed the importance of implementing Article 140 of the Constitution, describing it as “a very important constitutional article that we will work to implement during this session, as it has been delayed until now.”

Article 140 refers to the Iraqi Constitution's provisions for settling the status of "areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad," most notably Kirkuk. It outlines a three-phase process: normalisation, census, and a referendum to determine the will of the citizens. The implementation of this article has been significantly delayed, causing ongoing tension, though Iraqi courts and officials continue to state that its full implementation is mandatory, according to the Iraqi Constitution.

Dr Adham further underscored her commitment to resolving outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), particularly ensuring the timely and uninterrupted disbursement of salaries and financial entitlements to employees in the Kurdistan Region.

PUK’s Role in Securing Baghdad Parliamentary Seat

Discussing her electoral victory—the first Kurdish seat won in Baghdad since 2005—Dr Adham credited the achievement to the “tremendous efforts” of the PUK in the capital.

“The victory of a PUK candidate in Baghdad carries enormous significance. Since 2005, no Kurdish party has secured a parliamentary seat in the capital. But this time, thanks to the tireless work of the PUK in Baghdad, we won this seat,” she said.

She noted that the Baghdad electoral district is the most important and challenging in the country. Winning a seat there, she said, reflects “broad, cross-communities popular support” for the PUK not only in the Kurdistan Region but across Iraq, especially in Baghdad.

“This seat is of great importance because it comes from outside the areas where Kurdish parties traditionally win. It is a remarkable success for the PUK to gain the trust of a constituency somewhat distant from the Kurdistan Region,” she added.

Bafel Jalal Talabani’s Active Role in Baghdad

Dr Adham reiterated that President Bafel Jalal Talabani’s continuous presence in Baghdad underscores the PUK’s influence in shaping national political outcomes.

“These visits send a clear message: the PUK enjoys significant political weight in Baghdad and is an active and influential player in the government formation process,” she said. “President Bafel’s presence highlights the PUK’s role as a key decision-maker.”

She emphasised that President Bafel and the party played a decisive part in securing her parliamentary victory. His support, she said, reflects the PUK’s national political approach, rooted in the legacy of President Mam Jalal.

Iraq Needs the Wisdom of Mam Jalal

Dr Adham stressed that the PUK’s broader mission in Iraqi politics is to bridge divides between political blocs, promote consensus, and work towards reducing tensions.

She described this as a continuation of the path laid down by President Mam Jalal, who earned widespread respect across Iraq.

“The Iraqi public has always viewed President Mam Jalal as a unique political figure and a guarantor of the stability of the new Iraq, as described by the revered cleric His Eminence Sayyid Ali al-Sistani,” she said.

“Iraq today is in dire need of the wisdom and sagacity of President Mam Jalal, whose pivotal role after 2003 helped stabilise the political landscape and guide the country towards safety.”



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