Turkmen and Christian political parties and institutions held a joint meeting on Monday to discuss national issues and recent political developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with a strong focus on minority rights and political representation.
Participants stressed the urgent need to reactivate the Kurdistan Region Parliament. They called for the swift resumption of parliamentary sessions, describing the institution as essential for strengthening democracy, preserving political stability, and reinforcing the separation of powers.
In addition, attendees highlighted the parliament’s role in advancing efforts to draft the Kurdistan Region’s constitution. They said restoring legislative activity remains critical for institutional progress and governance.
The meeting also focused on preserving the quota system for minority communities. Participants emphasized the importance of maintaining reserved parliamentary seats for Christians and Turkmen. They specifically called for restoring the previous allocation of six seats for Christians and five for Turkmen.
According to the statement, Christian representatives requested six quota seats, including five for Chaldean Assyrian Syriac communities and one for Armenians. Meanwhile, Turkmen parties demanded the return of their five reserved seats.
At the federal level, participants called for stronger inclusion of Christian and Turkmen representatives in Iraq’s next government. They stressed that representation should reflect election results and uphold national partnership.
Similarly, the attendees urged fair participation for both communities in the next Kurdistan Regional Government. They highlighted the historical role of Christians and Turkmen in the region and emphasized the importance of preserving coexistence and diversity.
The final statement addressed several political leaders and institutions, including Masoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Iraq’s parliament, urging them to respond to these demands.
Finally, participants reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence and constitutional rights. They also announced plans to form a delegation to meet Kurdish and Iraqi leaders.