Dr. Nazaket Hussen
The reopening of the Kurdistan Region Parliament on November 4, 2026, marked a historic moment in the Region’s political life. However, its real significance will depend on what Parliament achieves in the coming months: restoring political cooperation, passing legislation, strengthening government oversight, and helping the Region overcome its prolonged political deadlock.
After nearly two years of paralysis, reopening Parliament was not simply an important political step; it was a necessity. The suspension of parliamentary activities weakened the legislative process and limited the institution’s ability to oversee government performance and hold officials accountable. Its return offers an opportunity to restore these essential constitutional responsibilities.
This development comes at a sensitive time. The international system is undergoing major changes, regional strategic maps are being redrawn, and the balance of power across the Middle East is shifting. Meanwhile, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region face difficult political and economic circumstances. These challenges make political stability, strong institutions, and responsible leadership more important than ever.
However, reopening Parliament should not be considered an achievement in itself. It must serve as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the rule of law, improve governance, and restore public confidence in the Region’s institutions.
Parliament must reclaim its role in overseeing the government, monitoring public budgets, ensuring regular salary payments, improving public services, and holding officials accountable. These responsibilities require the meaningful participation of all major political forces. Parliament should be a place for dialogue, cooperation, and national decision-making, not another arena for political confrontation.
The political experience of the Kurdistan Region has shown that its strength does not come from one party dominating or sidelining another. Rather, its achievements have been built on national consensus, political partnership, and a shared commitment to protecting the Region’s interests.
Safeguarding the Region’s constitutional status, securing its financial rights, and maintaining its stability require all political parties to put the public interest above narrow political calculations. Given the fragile situation in Iraq and the wider region, Kurdistan cannot afford another prolonged period of political confrontation.
Ultimately, turning Parliament’s reopening into a genuine national achievement requires urgent and balanced dialogue among the Region’s political forces, particularly the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and other political groups. Parliament must become a bridge for rebuilding trust, reaching common ground, and establishing a strong, inclusive, and representative government.
November 4 should be remembered not only as the day Parliament resumed its activities, but as an opportunity to restore political partnership, strengthen democratic institutions, and put the interests of the people of Kurdistan first.