ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) officially launched its campaign for Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections on Sunday at a rally in Erbil, with party leader Masoud Barzani delivering a keynote speech that emphasized national unity, democracy, and the protection of Kurdish rights within the Iraqi state.

Addressing a crowd of party members and supporters, President Barzani underscored the significance of the electoral contest and called for a collective effort to secure victory for the KDP's electoral list.

“Every election is important; each occurs under different circumstances,” Barzani stated, framing the vote as a critical step for the future. He specifically praised the inclusion of Arab and Turkmen candidates on the KDP slate, describing it as a testament to the party's inclusive vision for Iraq.

Reflecting on Iraq’s troubled history, Barzani asserted that the state was founded on the idea of a partnership between Arabs and Kurds, a promise he said was broken by decades of injustice. He pointed to the lack of compensation for victims of the Anfal campaign and chemical weapon attacks as enduring wounds.

“Despite enduring oppression, the Kurdish people have always stood with dignity and sought peace,” Barzani said, recalling past autonomy agreements and the Kurdish vision of “Democracy for Iraq, autonomy for Kurdistan.”

He highlighted the fall of the Ba’ath regime in 2003 as a missed opportunity to build a truly democratic and federal Iraq. “We went to Baghdad with pure intentions and a strong will to establish a new Iraq based on partnership, balance, and compromise,” he remarked. While acknowledging the imperfections of the subsequent constitution, Barzani argued that many of Iraq's current problems could have been avoided had the document been properly implemented.

The KDP leader also criticized the current electoral law as "unfair" and called for reforms to ensure equal representation in future votes.

Turning to the ongoing disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, Barzani grounded his arguments directly in the Iraqi constitution. He cited Article 1, which defines Iraq as a federal state, and Article 3, which recognizes the country's multiple nationalities and religions.

“Iraq cannot be ruled by one group alone,” he emphasized.

On the contentious issue of oil and gas management, Barzani referenced his party's ongoing discussions in Baghdad. He affirmed the KDP’s agreement with Article 111, which states that oil and gas are owned by all the Iraqi people. He also detailed the provisions of Article 112, which mandates that the federal government manage existing fields with producing regions and distribute revenues fairly.

Concluding his speech, Barzani issued a rallying cry for unity and perseverance, urging KDP candidates and supporters to stand together in defense of democracy and Kurdish rights.

“What matters most is that our list wins,” he said. “You are all brothers and sisters, and together we will continue our struggle for a prosperous and democratic Iraq.”