Peregraf- Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani delivered a fiery campaign speech in Erbil on Saturday during a mass rally for the party’s List 222 ahead of Iraq’s parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11.
Talabani pledged to restore financial stability, dismantle economic monopolies, and push for equal treatment across all parts of the Kurdistan Region, positioning the PUK as the defender of rights and livelihoods both in Erbil and Baghdad.
Addressing crowds in the Kurdish capital, Talabani accused unnamed elites in Erbil of enriching themselves at public expense, saying some “live like Pharaohs” while ordinary citizens suffer. He also criticized the state of freedoms in the city, arguing that Erbil’s modern appearance was “worthless without liberty.”
Budget, Jobs, and Oil Reform
Talabani promised to restore Kurdistan’s share of the federal budget to levels seen between 2004–2013, describing those years as a period of relative stability. He pledged to:
• Improve cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region
• Reduce fuel prices and end reliance on what he called “primitive refineries”
• Create job opportunities and guarantee farmers’ access to markets
He claimed there had been virtually no public-sector hiring since 2014, while powerful elites continued to benefit.
Talabani emphasized that a PUK-led government would treat all areas of Kurdistan Region equally, saying the party “looks at the entire Kurdistan with one eye.” He pledged not to join any governing system that does not protect citizens’ rights.
He said the PUK would work to rebuild ties between Erbil and Baghdad, insisting that life was better when both sides cooperated. Talabani vowed to fight for “a realistic agreement” with the federal government and to prevent corruption, adding: “Vote for us and we will stop the theft.”
Talabani addressed Christian and Turkmen communities, promising to defend their identity, culture, and land rights. He accused unspecified actors of land seizures against Christians and said the PUK would elevate the issue internationally. “Just as we defend Kurds, we will defend you,” he said.
Highlighting the party’s historic role, Talabani reminded supporters that the PUK was integral to reforming Iraq’s election law, elevating Halabja to provincial status, and reinstalling a Kurdish governor in Kirkuk.
While avoiding direct names, Talabani accused rival parties of prioritizing wealth and power over service, declaring: “We fight for every Kurd, not for our pockets.” He warned that popular frustration would one day “burn down their palaces.” Talabani vowed to spend at least one day per week in Erbil, and to address economic pressures. He thanked supporters and promised that injustice would no longer be tolerated.