For years, Iraq's Kurdish parties have been power brokers - playing a major role in deciding who runs the federal government in Baghdad. But political infighting is threatening their influence.

Baghdad

Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region is preparing for a pivotal parliamentary election, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) remaining the dominant rivals. Internal divisions between these two parties have weakened their historic role as key power brokers in Baghdad, particularly as they have begun negotiating separately with other political blocs.

Despite the resumption of oil exports and ongoing economic challenges, the Kurdish parliament has been deadlocked for over a year and a half due to disputes between the KDP and PUK. This election is seen by many voters as a crucial test of Kurdish unity and their ability to maintain influence in Iraq's central government.

Iraq parliamentary election: Kurds risk losing power-broker role

In the shadow of Erbil's ancient citadel, a new contest for power is underway. Across the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, campaign posters fill every corner as it heads into a critical parliamentary election. For many here, grace is once again shaped by the two dominant rivals, the Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK. We hope this election strengthens Kurdish representation in Baghdad. We need laws to protect our constitutional rights. The older parties can still do this better than the new parties because they control the institutions. Beyond politics, there is anger at the struggling economy. Oil exports through neighboring Turkey have resumed, but many here say they've seen no relief yet. The delay of salaries and budget by Baghdad's administration is political. It can be solved if parties put the region first, not personal gains. For years, Kurdish parties played power brokers in Baghdad, often holding the swing votes among the 329 parliamentary seats needed for a government. But divisions between the KDP and PUK have weakened that leverage. The 46 Kurdish seats in the Iraqi parliament are crucial for forming a majority and shaping the next government. But in recent years, PUK and KDP have negotiated separately with Baghdad's blocs, weakening the Kurdish position. Smaller parties are pushing to challenge the old guard, but tribal and provincial loyalties still limit their influence. The KDP is dominant in Erbil and Hawke, the PUK in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja. By political convention, the KDP leads the Kurdish region's presidency, while the PUK holds the Iraqi presidency. But power sharing at home remains deeply contested. The Kurdish parliament has been in a deadlock for more than a year and a half because of disputes between the two dominant parties. Delaying the formation of a new regional government and installing critical institutions. For many voters, this election is a test, whether the Kurds can present a united front or whether rivalry will further weaken their voice in Baghdad. Mahmoud Abdel Wahid, Al Jazeera, Erbil, Northern Iraq.

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