ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has invited all Kurdish political parties with representation in the Iraqi parliament to a meeting in Erbil on Saturday to address ongoing financial disputes with the Iraqi federal government.  

Aziz Ahmed, deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, announced the gathering on X, stating, “All Kurdistani blocs in Baghdad have been invited to Erbil for talks due to ongoing delays and disputes over federal payments to the Kurdistan Region. Meetings are scheduled throughout the day tomorrow.” Ahmed added that Kurdish ministers in the federal government will also participate, emphasizing the importance of presenting a “strong, unified signal.”  

The KRG has faced significant challenges in paying its civil servants on time and in full for the past decade, a situation exacerbated in March 2023 when its independent oil exports ceased following a court ruling on disputes between Iraq and Turkey. As a result, the KRG has become heavily reliant on local revenues and its share of the federal budget, which has been subject to delays and disagreements. Baghdad has yet to release December salaries for the Kurdistan Region’s civil servants, leaving payment timelines uncertain.  

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani is expected to visit Baghdad next week to attend a meeting of the State Administration Coalition, the ruling alliance that includes Kurdistan’s political parties. According to his spokesperson, Dilshad Shahad, Barzani will also hold separate discussions with political parties during his visit, scheduled to begin on Sunday.  

The State Administration Coalition, which regularly addresses national and regional developments, is composed of parties that back Iraq’s current cabinet, including the ruling Kurdish factions. Kurdish political parties collectively hold about 60 seats in Iraq’s 329-member parliament and occupy several high-ranking positions, including the presidency and key ministerial posts in foreign affairs, justice, the environment, and construction and housing.