PUK President in Erbil: From Zakho to Halabja, We Will Serve All Kurdistan Equally

PUK President's Media

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), addressed a mass carnival in Erbil on Saturday, 1 November 2025, setting out the party’s programme and priorities for the next term of the Iraqi Parliament and outlining its plans for work in Baghdad.

The event began with the formal introduction of the PUK’s List 222 candidates in the Erbil constituency. Qubad Talabani, supervisor of the List 222 campaign in Erbil, and Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, member of the PUK Political Bureau, offered greetings to the crowds before President Bafel was invited on to the stage by Shalaw Kosrat Rasul.

In his speech, President Bafel opened with a warm address to the city: “Hello, Kurdistan’s capital. Hello, city of citadel and minaret. Hello, sacred Erbil. Comrades of Erbil, Erbil Castle is green and will never be red.” He reiterated the party’s pledge: “We are your voice in Baghdad — your voice, your power, your influence.”

President Bafel pledged to restore the Kurdistan Region’s public finances, promising to “restore the budget as it was between 2004 and 2013 — and make it even better” and to bring major development projects to all parts of Kurdistan. 

“We will serve from Zakho to Halabja without discrimination,” he said.

Addressing the city’s tradespeople [shop owners and retailers], he said: “Tradespeople of Erbil, you are the lifeblood of Kurdistan’s economy. You have suffered because of the disputes between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad, while some in the city lived like pharaohs. I know you will vote for us — we are strong in Baghdad and we will work for you.” 

He recalled the “golden era” under Mam Jalal and vowed to restore the warm relationship that Mam Jalal and Kosrat Rasul forged with Baghdad.

On social and civic issues, President Bafel criticised the lack of employment opportunities since 2014, while noting that some networks continued to benefit. “Employment has effectively stopped since 2014, yet jobs for the relatives of the pharaohs have not ceased,” he said, promising action to create employment and support farmers.

President Bafel addressed minority communities, stating: “To the Christians, you are part of Kurdistan. We will protect you, be your allies, and defend your religion, language and land. We will work to reclaim any land taken from you and raise the issue internationally. To the Turkmen, where are your genuine representatives? Dear Turkmen, you are indigenous to Erbil — you deserve true representatives. I promise to defend you as I defend the Kurds and Kurdistan.”

The PUK President also reaffirmed his personal commitment to Erbil: “I swear by God and by the graves of our martyrs that we will never abandon Erbil. From now on I will be in Erbil at least once a week.” 

Addressing the people of Soran, President Bafel said: “People of Soran, I know your pain and I understand the betrayals you have suffered. We will restore the balance and acknowledge how you have served the PUK for many years. Out of loyalty, I promise to stand with you to the end and will not tolerate betrayal from anyone. The PUK fights for the whole of Kurdistan, not for personal gain, and we will not enter any government that does not treat all parts of Kurdistan equally.”

On freedom of expression in Erbil, the President remarked: “Visitors to Erbil may admire the tall buildings and wide roads, but what value do they hold if the people are not free? Do not be silenced—raise your heads and speak out, for you are the PUK and you are Kurdistan. The people must be heard; we will stand behind you like mountains.”

He warned those seeking to intimidate the public: “They may try to frighten you into betrayal, but they will fail. The green fire in your hearts will one day consume their palaces — that day has come. On 11 November, go and fill the ballot boxes with your green votes. We will continue to fight for your rights.”

Addressing the situation and welfare of citizens, President Bafel said, fuel prices have been driven up so that a few can “fill their pockets”. He urged voters to support the PUK to end what he described as theft.

He reiterated the party’s record and achievements: “It was we who defended Kurdistan and reformed the electoral law. We turned Halabja into a governorate. We saved Kirkuk and appointed a Kurdish governor. The PUK carries the strength of Mr Kosrat and the diplomatic legacy of Mam Jalal — it is your strength in Baghdad.”

President Bafel asked supporters to speak to everyone eligible to vote and explain the difference between the PUK and other parties. Concluding his appeal, he called on voters to turn out on election day: “On the day of the vote, turn the ballot boxes green — and leave the rest to me.”

The PUK is contesting the 2025 Iraqi parliamentary elections, scheduled for 11 November, across several governorates, presenting its candidates on an independent list numbered 222 in Erbil, Sulaymaniyah (including Halabja), Duhok, Kirkuk, and Diyala. In Nineveh Governorate, the PUK is running as part of the "Nineveh People’s Union Coalition" with number 281, while in Saladin it is fielding one candidate within the "National Masses Coalition" with number 240.

Overall, the PUK is entering the elections with 156 candidates: 36 in Sulaymaniyah, 30 in Erbil, 5 in Duhok, 24 in Kirkuk, 28 in Diyala, 31 in Nineveh within the Nineveh People’s Union Coalition, and one candidate each in Saladin and Baghdad.



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