PUK Announces Withdrawal from Kurdistan Government, Rejects Parliament Session

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Dear people of Hawler, good evening. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan We made a great effort to form a government, a different kind of government, a government to serve all the people of Kurdistan, to reconcile with the countries around us,

to build a good climate and strong relations with Baghdad so we can secure our citizens' rights.

I've visited Erbil more than 15 times. I've held meetings with all the gentlemen in Erbil.

They've sent several people to meet me, and we've held meetings.

Unfortunately, we haven't been able to reach a result yet.

At every stage where we've made progress, they've derailed the process with an excuse.

We could have done this thing that was done.

They tell me the parliament has convened.

No, the parliament hasn't convened. A minority within the Kurdistan Democratic Party proved today that they don't know what democracy is.

They proved today that they have no respect for you, the voters.

They proved today that they don't know what governance should look like in this country.

They proved something else, too. They proved that they can use your money better than we can to buy parliamentarians, and use your weapons to threaten parliamentarians.

We could have done that, gentlemen. If this is about fear, fear lives in my pocket.

But we will never show you that kind of disrespect.

We will never lay a hand on your votes. I've told you many times not to make that mistake.

If something like that happens, we won't admit it, and we won't tolerate it.

So today, after the meeting of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leadership when I was given full authority, without having to go back to the leadership, to tolerate this matter, I announce to you here.

We will not admit to this. We will not admit to anything that comes out of this matter.

This government has been operating properly for two years.

It has failed to provide even the most basic things.

Examples speak for themselves. Look at our oil prices, and look at Baghdad's oil prices.

Look at our gasoline prices, and look at Baghdad's gasoline prices.

There are plenty of examples. This government has failed.

So, the first decision of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leadership after this is that we will withdraw from this text from this failed government that calls itself the Government of Kurdistan.

What does this mean? It means we will use all our strength and power, and provide our people in our region with whatever they need.

You have seen it, everyone knows that this will not succeed, this program will not succeed.

You have seen, mashallah, how many international parties and countries have congratulated them.

We are ready to make any sacrifice for our people.

You are busy with this thing. And we, the PUK, are focused on the problems in Rojava.

You’re focused on these things. And we’re focused on the peace process in Northern Kurdistan.

You’re focused on these things. And we’re focused on our brothers in the East, too, so they can get their rights.

You’re focused on these things, while we’re in Baghdad day after day, trying to calm things down, so our people can live well, provide their salaries, and protect their rights.

I have a message for the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

I’ll start with this. You’ve made your decision.

I know the decision isn’t right. But, as brothers, I’m telling you, don’t put our people in danger.

Everyone knows the PUK. For many years, we have made a promise before God Almighty.

We won’t let a drop of anyone’s blood be spilled in Kurdistan.

So I ask you to stop moving these forces, and stop these things you started yesterday.

Stop doing these things. No one will come after you, and no one will do anything to you.

They’ll make such a decision—you mustn’t be afraid at that very moment.

But we want you to know this clearly. I’ll say it again, we will not acknowledge this.

We will not acknowledge any government or position that comes out of this.

We will not acknowledge you.

You’re forcing us to take action.

Whatever they do there, we’ll let it pass.

They’ll appoint a president of the Region, We’ll appoint a president of the Region.

They’ll appoint a minister, We’ll appoint a minister.

They’ll appoint a prime minister, We’ll appoint a prime minister.

This Region belongs to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

It was established with the blood of the martyrs of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.

I swear to Almighty God, the Most Merciful, that I’m telling you this.

You started it, I’ll finish it.