By Payraw Anwar
Iraq is preparing for a new general election scheduled for November 11, 2025, marking the sixth national vote since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. With more than 20 million eligible voters, this election is another test for Iraq’s fragile democracy — and a chance to assess whether the political system can still claim genuine legitimacy.
The main question is: what does this election truly mean for Iraq and its people? In a country as complex as Iraq, home to Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Sunnis, Shiites, Christians, and Yazidis, elections are not only about choosing representatives; they are also about managing diversity and coexistence. They measure how far Iraq has come in turning diversity from a source of division into a source of stability.
Elections, in theory, are the most direct expression of the people’s will — the foundation of any democracy. They are the mechanism through which citizens decide who governs and how power is exercised. Yet in Iraq, elections have too often been followed by disputes, political paralysis, and mistrust, raising doubts about their ability to produce genuine change. The deeper question remains whether Iraq’s political elites are ready to peacefully transfer power if they lose — a true test of democratic maturity.
Post-Baath Iraq: Power-Sharing and Challenges
After 2003, Iraq’s political system was redesigned around three key principles: partnership, participation, and power-sharing among Kurds, Sunnis, and Shiites. The goal was to build a state that reflected Iraq’s diverse makeup and prevented domination by any single group. However, the experience has been uneven. The Sunni boycott of the 2005 election led to their political marginalization, while the Kurds became active players in shaping the new Iraq. Kurdish parties were instrumental in drafting and supporting the 2005 Constitution, which established federalism and recognized the Kurdistan Region as an autonomous entity.
Despite these constitutional guarantees, Iraq’s federal system has often struggled in practice. Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil over budget shares, oil revenues, and disputed territories have repeatedly tested the limits of this partnership. Each election therefore becomes a moment of reassessment — a chance to renegotiate trust and redefine relations within the federal framework.
What Does This Election Mean for the Kurds?
For the Kurdistan Region, participating in Iraq’s national election is not just a political duty; it is a strategic necessity. Free and fair elections represent a social contract between Baghdad and Erbil — a way to renew legitimacy, protect autonomy, and preserve Kurdish rights.
There are two main reasons why this election holds special meaning for the Kurds:
1. Federalism as a Guarantee: Since 2005, Iraq’s constitution has defined the Kurdistan Region as a federal entity. Active participation in Baghdad’s political process strengthens this federalism and ensures that Kurdish interests are represented. Despite its imperfections, federalism remains the main legal shield for Kurdish autonomy.
2. Identity and Unity: For the Kurds, national elections are not just about winning seats; they are about safeguarding identity and existence within Iraq. The stronger and more united the Kurdish political front, the greater its influence in Baghdad. Unity is therefore not only a political strategy but a national necessity.
As Iraq approaches the 2025 elections, the broader goal should be to restore public trust and renew legitimacy in governance. For Kurds, participation is a way to reaffirm their partnership in shaping Iraq’s future. For Iraq as a whole, it is an opportunity to prove that democracy can still function as a tool for peaceful change.