KRG’s Rights Challenged by Political FactionsERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ashwaq Jaff, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Central Committee, has accused an unconstitutional political force of obstructing Iraq’s political stability and undermining the principles of federalismIn an interview with Kurdistan24, Jaff stated that certain factions within Iraq’s political landscape are actively working against the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights and financial entitlements.
A Cycle of Unproductive NegotiationsJaff criticized the ongoing negotiations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government, arguing that repeated talks and agreements have failed to yield tangible results.
She attributed this to Baghdad’s inability to govern effectively within a constitutional framework, accusing political actors of exploiting legal loopholes to sideline the KRG.
“The continuous negotiations and agreements prove that the federal government has failed in establishing a constitutional governance system,” Jaff said.
“The lack of respect for the constitution and federalism has led to a political process dictated by forces that do not acknowledge the rights of provinces, including the Kurdistan Region,” she added.
A Political, Not Technical, IssueJaff emphasized that the dispute over financial entitlements, including KRG employees’ salaries, is not a technical issue but a political maneuver aimed at weakening the Kurdistan Region.
She noted that despite KRG’s full compliance with constitutional provisions, Baghdad continues to delay budget allocations, severely impacting the livelihoods of Kurdistan’s citizens
“The KRG has submitted all necessary evidence and met Baghdad’s conditions, yet the delays persist,” she said.
“This is purely political, as even Iraqi parliamentarians acknowledge. The Federal Supreme Court has ruled in favor of KRG’s entitlements, yet Baghdad continues to manipulate the process, depriving citizens of their rights,” she stated.
Centralized Governance MindsetAccording to Jaff, one of the fundamental obstacles to resolving the crisis is the persistence of a centralized governance mentality among Iraqi decision-makers.
Despite the 2003 constitutional transformation that established Iraq as a federal state, many political actors still operate under a centralized mindset, resisting the devolution of power.
“Federalism is not exclusive to the Kurdistan Region—it applies to all provinces. Yet, certain political forces refuse to recognize this reality and instead attempt to impose a centralized governance model,” she explained.
Foreign Influence and Internal Political StrugglesJaff further alleged that foreign interference is exacerbating tensions between the KRG and Baghdad, with external actors influencing domestic political decisions.
She suggested that some factions within the federal government are using the Kurdistan Region as a scapegoat to further their own political interests, particularly with national elections approaching in less than ten months
“The opposition to agreements between Erbil and Baghdad is not entirely domestic. There are external forces influencing Baghdad’s decision-making,” she claimed.
“Additionally, internal disputes among Iraqi political parties are being projected onto the Kurdistan Region as a way to gain electoral leverage,” she added.
Budget Amendment StandoffThe impasse over Kurdistan’s financial entitlements is set to be a critical issue in the upcoming parliamentary session.
Iraqi MP Zozan Kocher told Kurdistan24 that numerous political parties are obstructing the passage of the federal budget law amendment, which includes provisions to resume Kurdistan’s oil exports.
“Many political parties are not cooperating in passing the amendment,” Kocher said. “This delay is costing Iraq an estimated 15 trillion dinars annually, making it imperative to reach a resolution.”
A Call for Constitutional AdherenceJaff concluded by reaffirming the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to constitutional governance while urging Baghdad to uphold its legal obligations.
“The constitution must be the guiding principle for all political decisions,” she asserted.
“The KRG remains committed to dialogue, but it cannot continue to engage in endless negotiations while its citizens suffer the consequences of Baghdad’s unconstitutional maneuvers,” she emphasized.
As Iraq’s political landscape remains fraught with tensions, the outcome of the upcoming parliamentary vote on the budget law amendment could play a crucial role in determining whether the federal government is willing to uphold the constitutional framework or continue its current trajectory of political brinkmanship.
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