Abdulbasit Khalid: Those Who Demand Quota seats do not Represent Turkmen Community

Reports 08:17 PM - 2024-02-27

The Chairman of the Turkmen Political Council

The Turkmen Political Council in Erbil welcomes the Federal Court's decision to remove the communities' seats from the Kurdistan Parliament. The council claims that those seeking quota seats in the name of Turkmen are motivated by personal gain. 

Furthermore, the council chairman stated, "The Turkmen community's MPs in the Kurdistan Parliament were used to support a specific party and defame the Turkmen people."

Federal Court's ruling is legal and constitutional

In an exclusive interview with PUKMEDIA, Abdulbasit Khalid, Chairman of the Turkmen Political Council, stated that "the Federal Court's decision to remove the quota seats for communities in the Kurdistan Parliament is legitimate, and we support it." The ruling seeks to eliminate quota seats and is not directed at the Turkmen community." 

"The Kurds are the second largest ethnic group in Iraq and do not require quota seats in the Iraqi parliament. Similarly, we do not require quota seats in the Kurdistan Region," he added. "Those demanding quota seats in the name of Turkmen do not represent the Turkmen community and are focused on their own personal and political interests."

Some communities' MPs utilised their quota seats to support a party

Mr. Khalid further said: "Those who were in the Kurdistan Parliament representing communities used their quota seats to support a specific party and defame the Turkmen community. The longstanding Turkmen community in Erbil, who have resided there for centuries, is committed to their homeland and nation and will not tolerate any infringement on their rights."

"If Turkmens form a unified coalition and do not rely on quota seats in the upcoming Kurdistan parliamentary elections, they are likely to win more seats than before and truly represent the Turkmen community, rather than being dominated by a specific party as in the past," he added.

PUK has not asked for the removal of the quota seats

Earlier, Ziad Jabar, the Chairman of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction in the Kurdistan Parliament, represented the PUK in a case filed in the Federal Supreme Court against Articles (1-9-15-22-36) of the Kurdistan Parliamentary Election Law. The PUK desired that the 11 quota seats be distributed across the provinces. However, after 11 adjournments, the Federal Court ultimately decided on February 21, 2024, to remove the quota seats and give the Kurdistan Parliament 100 seats following a detailed inquiry into the seats of communities.

Following the Federal Court's ruling, communities can select their representatives from the 100 available seats in the upcoming Kurdistan parliamentary elections.



PUKMEDIA