Kurdish leaders support Iraq's embattled prime minister
The Iraqi Kurdistan government is trying to calm protesters' demands for the central government's prime minister to be removed.
BAGHDAD — As demonstrations against government corruption worsen in Iraq, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi is calling for a Cabinet reshuffle, and Kurdish leaders are trying to quell protesters' calls for his ouster, at least for now.
Negotiations continue between the Iraqi Kurdistan government in Erbil and federal officials in Baghdad. Erbil opposes the demands of demonstrators in Baghdad and the southern provinces to dismiss the central government. However, Erbil recognizes the legitimacy of the rest of the demands, in particular the need for political and economic reform.
The stated official position of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on the protests that have been taking place in Iraq since Oct. 1 is support for the "right to peaceful demonstration."
During an Oct. 8 meeting with Wataniya (National) Coalition leader Ayad Allawi, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) chief Massoud Barzani said any change in the political process must come within the constitutional framework and through democratic mechanisms. He expressed support for the current government headed by Abdul Mahdi, despite efforts by certain political forces — such as the Sairoon alliance, the Nasr Coalition and the Iraqi Forces Union — to adopt protesters' demands to change the government.
