Hawrami: The KDP does not condone the incidents occurred in Kurdistan Parliament on 23 June

The Head of Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Foreign Relations Office (KDP FRO) Mr Hemin Hawrami today received the Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Iraq Ms Jessica Svardstrom for talks on the political climate in the Kurdistan region and the latest security and military developments.

At the meeting, Mr Hawrami welcomed Ms Svardstrom and expressed appreciation on behalf of the KDP for Sweden’s support toward the Kurds in its fight against terrorism before moving on to discuss the Kurdistan presidency disputes where all political parties are debating an extension – negotiations are expected to officially end this week -  to the term of the incumbent Massoud Barzani.

Mr Hawrami reaffirmed the KDP’s position on the issue that it prefers to hold a consensus and adhere to democracy to allow the public get to cast their votes to decide on a presidential candidate rather than follow the preferred system of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Gorran (Change Movement) whereby a president is elected by parliamentarians.

On Monday, the Consultive Council – set up in 2008 to resolve administrative disputes – announced the extension of President Barzani’s term for another two years, according to the KRG’s Justice Ministry. The move, however, was not endorsed by the parliament, which remains sharply divided on the issue.

For her part, Ms Svadstrom reiterated her satisfaction with her visit to Kurdistan while stressing that her government will continue to support the Kurds, also calling for Kurdish authorities to further augment democratic experience in the region.