Kurdistan Region Insists on 14% Federal Budget Share, Rejects Current Allocation

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesperson, Peshawa Hawrami, announced on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, the region's categorical rejection of its allocated 12.67% share in the federal budget. Hawrami confirmed, during a press conference following a cabinet meeting, that the region's rightful share should not be less than 14%, based on the results of the latest population census conducted by the capital, Baghdad. The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, emphasized the necessity of protecting the salaries of KRG employees within the federal budget. The meeting affirmed the complete separation of their financial entitlements from any political disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. In a related context concerning salary disbursement, the government spokesperson noted that over one million employees and retirees in the region are currently receiving their financial dues through the "My Account" project. He clarified that this digital transformation has successfully ended long queues and waiting times at payment points.