The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is leading in the parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) region of northern Iraq, with a voter turnout of 72%. Preliminary results show KDP securing 809,197 votes, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 408,141 votes and the New Generation party with 290,991 votes.
The elections, initially scheduled for 2022, faced delays due to disputes between KDP and PUK. The region’s economic crisis, worsened by a halt in oil exports, was a central issue in the campaign. Corruption allegations against the government have also fueled demands for reform, especially among younger voters disillusioned with the political landscape dominated by KDP and PUK.
Voters are also concerned about political cooperation with the central government in Baghdad, particularly regarding oil revenue sharing and budget allocations. Despite skepticism about opposition parties’ ability to bring change, the election results will shape the future political landscape in the Kurdish region.