On the sidelines of MEPS 2025: Kurdish President, Iraqi PM stress unity in post-election phase
Shafaq News – Duhok
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Tuesday affirmed that upholding Iraq’s constitution is key to resolving political conflicts, protecting institutions, and securing citizens' rights.
According to a statement from the Kurdish presidency, during their meeting on the sidelines of the Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2025) in Duhok, both leaders welcomed the successful conclusion of Iraq’s parliamentary elections and discussed the need for unified coordination as the country transitions to its next political phase.
سهرۆک نێچیرڤان بارزانی و سهرۆکوهزیران ئهلسوودانی کۆبوونهوهhttps://t.co/uSVaMn3uNZ pic.twitter.com/Re4olNLcvd
— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) November 18, 2025
They reiterated that constitutional adherence is essential for national stability, institutional integrity, and addressing the rights of Iraq’s diverse population.
The meeting followed Iraq’s sixth parliamentary election since 2003, where turnout surpassed 56%. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), where President Barzani serves as deputy leader, secured more than 1.09 million votes and 26 seats, retaining its role as the largest Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi parliament, while al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Alliance (al-Ima’ar wal-Tanmiya) won 46 seats, leading nationwide.
Read more: Million-Vote Moment: What the KDP’s surge means for Kurdistan and Baghdad
The MEPS 2025 forum, held from November 17–19 at the American University of Kurdistan, convened regional leaders, diplomats, and academics under the theme: “Managed Chaos – A New Middle East?” Now in its sixth edition, the forum is co-hosted with Cambridge University, the Atlantic Council, Carnegie’s Crisis Response Council, and the London School of Economics.
