The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has officially ended its nearly two-year boycott of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, marking a significant political shift that restores the party's presence in one of Iraq's most politically sensitive local institutions.

The decision was announced during a press conference on Tuesday, signaling the KDP's return to council deliberations after withdrawing in 2024 in protest over the formation of Kirkuk's local administration.

Speaking on behalf of the KDP bloc, member Shokhan Haseeb said the party's leadership concluded that rejoining the council would enable it to play a more active role in overseeing local governance, improving public administration, and representing the interests of Kirkuk's residents.

According to Haseeb, the decision was influenced by growing appeals from citizens and party supporters, as well as requests from other political factions calling for greater cooperation amid changing political and administrative circumstances.

The KDP said its renewed participation will prioritize monitoring the performance of the provincial administration, safeguarding citizens' rights, supporting anti-corruption efforts, and strengthening institutional accountability.

The party also pledged to represent all communities in Kirkuk without discrimination, emphasizing its commitment to constructive engagement while maintaining oversight of executive institutions.

Haseeb linked the decision to Iraq's broader efforts to enhance transparency and combat corruption, saying the KDP intends to contribute to those national objectives through its work in the provincial council.

The return marks an important development in Kirkuk's political landscape, where governance has long depended on delicate power-sharing among Kurdish, Arab, and Turkmen political forces. The KDP's participation is expected to broaden representation and strengthen debate within the council after nearly two years of absence.

The party suspended its participation following the formation of Kirkuk's provincial administration after Iraq's 2023 provincial elections. In August 2024, a coalition of political factions formed the local government during a meeting in Baghdad without the participation of the KDP and several Arab and Turkmen representatives.

In response, the KDP boycotted Provincial Council sessions, arguing that it would not participate in an administration established without broad political consensus. The boycott became one of the defining features of Kirkuk's post-election political environment.

Tuesday's announcement formally ends that chapter, with the party stating that it now believes engagement from within the council is the most effective way to advance its priorities and serve the people of Kirkuk.

Although the KDP has not altered its position regarding the circumstances surrounding the administration's formation, it said its return is intended to strengthen institutional oversight, ensure citizens' concerns are represented, and promote greater political cooperation.