A milestone has been achieved by the Kurdistan Regional Parliament in Iraq, whereby the leadership has been elected despite a significant political deadlock that had rendered the work of parliament dysfunctional for more than two years. This was achieved during an important session that brought together 52 members of parliament, thus enabling the quorum required by the constitution to enable the resumption of activities.
The parliamentarians agreed in an absolute majority to elect Ms. Vala Fareed, an experienced member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and a lawyer, as the Speaker of the parliament. Ramy Noori was selected as the Deputy Speaker to represent the Christian community, while Muna Kahveci was chosen as the Parliamentary Secretary to represent the Turkmen community. This breakthrough offers a fresh path forward for the regional administration following prolonged negotiations that initially stemmed from the legislative elections held in October 2024.
The breakthrough materialized despite a boycott called by several major political factions, including the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the opposition New Generation Movement. However, the critical quorum of 51 seats was achieved when a handful of opposition and rival politicians crossed party lines to participate in the vote. This unexpected shift angered boycotting leadership circles but provided the numerical threshold required to resume institutional duties.
Political analysts note that reviving the legislature is a vital prerequisite for finalizing the tenth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and regional president Nechirvan Barzani both welcomed the resumption of parliamentary activities, emphasizing that unity and restored oversight are essential for addressing public services and economic governance. In her inaugural address, Speaker Fareed urged all boycotting blocs to rejoin legislative committees promptly to ensure the assembly can effectively process pending legal reforms and administrative policies. Furthermore, regional diplomats and international observers have lauded the legislative breakthrough as a crucial step toward stabilizing local governance and fostering long-term democratic cooperation across northern Iraq.
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