ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi President Barham Salih met with Kurdistan Region’s top officials in Erbil on Thursday, discussing upcoming elections.
In a meeting with President Nechirvan Barzani, they discussed the “latest political developments in Iraq and Kurdistan Region, especially snap parliamentary elections in Iraq and how to pave the way for the process to serve the mutual interests of people and all entities in Iraq, including Kurdistan Region,” read statement from Kurdistan Region’s Presidency.
They also talked about “creating national unity” and joining forces to face possible challenges, added the statement.
Iraq initially planned to hold early elections on June 6, but that has been pushed back to October 10. Political parties have begun negotiations to create coalitions for the vote, including Kurdish parties.
Salih also met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani who “urged President Salih to play his part in helping create conditions necessary for free, fair and credible elections,” according to a statement from the premier's office.
Nechirvan and Masrour Barzani are both members of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). During his trip to the Kurdistan Region, Salih also met with leaders of other political parties, including the opposition Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and his Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
“I applaud and fully support his efforts to strengthen unity and collaboration within the Kurdistan Region and between the [Kurdistan Region] and the rest of Iraq through honest and direct dialogue,” tweeted Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the KRG and member of the PUK.
Salih also met with head of the KDP, Masoud Barzani.
