Qubad Talabani: Constitution Key to Resolving Iraq’s and Kurdistan’s Problems

Kurdistan 04:05 PM - 2026-10-13

Qubad Talabani at MERI 2026.

Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, took part in the MERI Forum 2026 in Erbil on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Organised by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI), the two-day forum opened on Monday under the theme “Shaping the Future: Visions for Peace and Prosperity”.

During a panel discussion titled “Kurdistan at a Critical Juncture: Security, Federalism, and a New Political Pact”, Qubad Talabani addressed key political and security developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, outlining his views on the current situation and possible solutions.

The session was attended by Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK); Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region; Mazloum Abdi, Adviser to the Syrian Presidency; and Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HDP).

Speaking about the emergence of a new generation of politicians, Qubad Talabani stressed the importance of learning from previous generations while listening to younger political figures and responding to their needs.

“We must learn from the previous political generation and their work. At the same time, we must listen to new politicians and meet the needs of the new generation,” he said.

Qubad Talabani: Constitution Is Key to Resolving Kurdistan Region and Iraq’s Problems

Qubad Talabani has said that many of the problems facing the Kurdistan Region and Iraq could be resolved through full implementation of the Iraqi Constitution.

“We must assess the situation within the scope of our own authority and focus more on the issues we can resolve ourselves,” Qubad Talabani said.

He identified the failure to uphold the Constitution as the main source of disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, stressing that returning to the constitutional framework was key to resolving outstanding issues.

“Iraqis are capable of resolving their own problems. There is now a favourable opportunity in Iraq to establish good governance through the implementation of the Constitution,” he said.

Qubad Talabani added that, alongside implementing the Iraqi Constitution, the Kurdistan Region should draft its own constitution to organise internal affairs and help reach a clearer understanding with Baghdad.

He stressed that the Kurdistan Region’s government and parliament should take responsibility for resolving its internal issues, with each institution exercising its own powers.

“Kurdistan is strong when Baghdad is strong, and Baghdad can only be strong when we are part of its governance structure,” he said, adding that participation in Baghdad’s decision-making would also require the Region to take greater responsibility for the decisions made.

Peshmerga Ministry Reforms Continue

On reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, Qubad Talabani said the Peshmerga forces affiliated with the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) would never again turn their weapons against one another.

He said the two forces had made progress towards unification, but reforms within the ministry remained ongoing and further long-term measures were needed.

Other security forces, however, had yet to be unified, he added, stressing the need to bring them together by following the Peshmerga unification model.

Talks on Forming the New Government Continue

Qubad Talabani confirmed that discussions on forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government were continuing and that the door to dialogue remained open.

“The timing and labels of these meetings are not what matter. What matters is their substance — whether they achieve their objectives, help us reach mutual understanding and provide the guarantees needed to navigate this stage,” he said.

He stressed that the PUK remained committed to its agreements and would deal honestly and transparently with all political parties with which it reached an understanding.

Qubad Talabani also described a recent meeting with Masrour Barzani as important, saying further discussions would follow.

“There are no personal issues, only some misunderstandings,” he said, adding that the talks had focused on the governance model the Kurdistan Region needed at this stage.

Kurdistan Region Needs a New Governance Model

Qubad Talabani said the Kurdistan Region needed a different system of governance, with less bureaucracy, faster administrative procedures and more efficient ways of delivering services to citizens.

“The current governance system is not suitable for the Region. Reform must begin with restructuring institutions. Times have changed, and we must reorganise our affairs to meet the needs of the modern era,” he said.

He added that the Kurdistan Region should apply the same principle of devolving powers internally that it sought from Baghdad.

The Deputy Prime Minister said some ministries were no longer necessary, stressing that the Kurdistan Region urgently needed a more flexible governance system free from excessive bureaucracy and red tape.

He also called for the gradual devolution of authority and powers from the Prime Minister’s Office to individual institutions and administrative units.

Economic Reform Requires a Clear Policy

On the economy, Qubad Talabani said the Kurdistan Region needed to clarify its economic approach, particularly regarding the role of the free market and government intervention.

“Unfortunately, we still do not know which economic philosophy we are following. If we believe in a free market, we should not intervene when the dollar exchange rate rises; the market should regulate itself. If we do not believe in a free market, we must intervene decisively,” he said.

He argued that the government needed a consistent approach to managing the market rather than relying on directives that were difficult to implement.

Citing the government’s intervention during a fuel price increase, he said the decision had not been implemented, forcing the government to reverse its position.

Concluding his remarks, Qubad Talabani said he was pleased that the Kurds had become an integral and active part of efforts to find solutions to regional challenges.

Qubad Talabani made these remarks at the MERI Forum 2026 in Erbil, which concludes on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.

On Monday, PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani also participated in a panel discussion entitled “Building a Stronger Kurdistan: Unity, Security, and Regional Partnerships”, addressing political developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the wider region, as well as possible solutions to current challenges.

Organised by the Middle East Research Institute (MERI), the two-day forum is examining Iraq’s immediate political challenges, shifting regional dynamics and opportunities for international cooperation. Topics include global and regional power relations, US policy in the Middle East, prospects for peace in the Levant, state institutional reform, relations between central and regional authorities, and ethnic and religious coexistence.



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