President Barzani Issues Key Statement on Iraq’s Presidential Selection Process

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Regarding the office of the President of the Republic of Iraq, all Kurdistani parties must be firmly convinced that this position is the rightful share of the Kurdish people. To ensure the President truly represents the people of Kurdistan, the selection mechanism must be reformed, and no party should treat this office as its private property or exclusive entitlement.

Accordingly, one of the following mechanisms should apply:

- The Kurdistan Parliament designates the Kurdish representative to assume the presidency; or

- All Kurdish parties meet and agree on a single nominee; or

- The Kurdish deputies and blocs in the Iraqi Council of Representatives choose a nominee.

It is not a requirement that the President be from the Kurdistan Democratic Party or the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan; the individual may come from another party or be an independent. What matters most is broad Kurdish consensus and that the person faithfully represents the people of Kurdistan in the office of the President of the Republic of Iraq.

Masoud Barzani

December 29, 2025