Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Hoshyar Zebari, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Executive Committee, has strongly criticized Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the Coordination Framework alliance, accusing them of deliberately worsening the Kurdistan Region’s salary crisis for political gains ahead of upcoming elections.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zebari questioned Baghdad’s motives, stating, “What is the interest of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the Coordination Framework in deliberately creating a salary crisis for Kurdistan Region employees at this critical time?” He added that while technical justifications may exist, the decision by the federal Ministry of Finance is “clearly political” and part of a systematic campaign against the Kurdistan Region, which is constitutionally recognized.

Zebari’s remarks followed a high-level political meeting held in Pirmam under the KDP’s Executive Committee, where Kurdish leaders discussed the deteriorating financial and political relations between Erbil and Baghdad. Attendees condemned the Iraqi Finance Ministry’s decision to withhold the Kurdistan Region’s financial entitlements, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Earlier this week, Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami sent an official letter to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), stating that Baghdad could no longer continue salary transfers due to the depletion of the KRG’s budget share. The ministry claimed that *“19.2 trillion dinars of oil and non-oil revenues had not been delivered”* to federal authorities as required.

The KDP Politburo responded with a strongly worded statement, accusing the federal government of “continuing to violate the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region.” It described the Finance Ministry’s letter as a “politically driven document in defiance of both the constitution and the foundational agreements upon which this government was formed.”

The Politburo warned that the issue would be formally addressed at the KDP’s Central Committee meeting on June 2 and demanded that the Kurdistan Region’s financial dues be transferred before Eid al-Adha, threatening a “serious and firm position” otherwise.

Meanwhile, Shakhawan Abdullah, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, revealed that Kurdish parliamentary blocs had submitted a formal memorandum to Prime Minister al-Sudani, urging immediate action to resolve the salary dispute.

“This continued obstruction is impacting civil servants and pushing families into poverty,” Abdullah said, emphasizing that the crisis could no longer be ignored.

The escalating tensions come amid Iraq’s approaching elections, raising concerns over further political instability. The KRG has repeatedly accused Baghdad of using financial pressure as leverage, while federal authorities insist on compliance with revenue-sharing agreements.

As the standoff continues, Kurdish leaders warn that failure to address the salary crisis could lead to broader political repercussions, including potential confrontations in Iraq’s already fragile governance structure.