KDP Wins Iraqi Kurdish Parliamentary Election, Commission Says

Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) count votes at the end of the parliamentary election, at a polling station in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, on October 20, 2024.
Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) count votes at the end of the parliamentary election, at a polling station in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, on October 20, 2024.
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KDP Wins Iraqi Kurdish Parliamentary Election, Commission Says

Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) count votes at the end of the parliamentary election, at a polling station in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, on October 20, 2024.
Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) count votes at the end of the parliamentary election, at a polling station in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, on October 20, 2024.

The ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) came first in a parliamentary election in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, winning 39 seats, the election commission said on Wednesday, positioning it to lead the next regional government.

The KDP's historic rival and junior coalition partner in government, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was second with 23 seats, the commission told a news conference.

It said turnout among registered voters was reported at 72%.

The Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament has 100 seats with five reserved for minority groups.

With opposition parties weak, the KDP and PUK, which have been sharing power since 1992, are likely to continue governing together, but the results suggest that Masoud Barzani's KDP will take a dominant position.

Originally planned for 2022, the elections were repeatedly delayed by disputes between the KDP and PUK.

Unresolved disagreements between the two major political parties are expected to complicate the formation of a new government, analysts and regional officials expect.

The largest Kurdish opposition party, New Generation, was a distant third with 15 seats.



Erdogan Says Türkiye Will Not Allow Syria to Be Divided

 The Syrian Defense Ministry building sits heavily damaged after alleged Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP)
The Syrian Defense Ministry building sits heavily damaged after alleged Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye Will Not Allow Syria to Be Divided

 The Syrian Defense Ministry building sits heavily damaged after alleged Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP)
The Syrian Defense Ministry building sits heavily damaged after alleged Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday Türkiye will not allow Syria to be divided or its multicultural structure and territorial integrity harmed, after Israel's actions sought to "sabotage" a ceasefire in the country.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, he said Israel's actions show it does not want peace.

Earlier, Erdogan and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed Israel's attacks on Damascus in a phone call, Türkiye's presidency said, adding Erdogan had voiced support for Damascus.

The presidency said Erdogan told Sharaa that Israel's attacks were unacceptable and a threat to the entire region, and Ankara welcomed a ceasefire reached with Syria's Druze.

Sharaa thanked Erdogan for Türkiye's support in protecting Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, it added.