Talabani Announces His Party's Withdrawal from Regional Government

Bafel Talabani, leader of the Kurdistan National Union, announced on Thursday his decision to withdraw from the Kurdistan Region government in Iraq. Talabani explained that his party aimed to form a government different from previous ones and to improve relations with Baghdad, noting that the Kurdistan Democratic Party does not respect democracy or the will of the people. He affirmed that the National Union does not recognize the Regional Parliament nor the parliamentary session held, declaring his party's withdrawal from the regional government. He indicated that the National Union will continue to elect the region's president and prime minister from Sulaymaniyah province. Earlier, the National Union had announced an emergency meeting to discuss political developments in the region, particularly the first session of the regional parliament and its political implications. The Kurdistan Region Parliament elected on Wednesday Fala Farid Ibrahim as its president, Rami Nuri Audish as vice president, and Mona Nabi Nader as secretary of the presidium with a majority of 52 votes.