The KDP announced in March that it would boycott the elections. AFP
The KDP announced in March that it would boycott the elections. AFP
The KDP announced in March that it would boycott the elections. AFP
The KDP announced in March that it would boycott the elections. AFP

Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party to take part in delayed regional elections


Sinan Mahmoud
  • English
  • Arabic

The Kurdistan Democratic Party, one of the two main political groups in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, will take part in the coming elections for the local parliament, the federal electoral commission told The National on Monday.

In March, the KDP announced it would boycott the elections in protest over several rulings by Iraq's top court regarding the region, labelling the judicial decisions as an infringement of its constitutional rights.

However, the KDP has now “submitted an application to express the desire to participate in the elections”, Iraq’s High Electoral Commission spokeswoman Jumana Al Ghalaie said.

The party's initial decision to boycott the elections, which were scheduled for June 10 at the time, deepened a political deadlock in the Kurdistan region. The international community has also repeatedly called for elections to be held as soon as possible.

The election was supposed to be held in October 2022 but was delayed by disagreements, mainly between the KDP and its rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

As a temporary solution, the KDP and PUK agreed to extend the Kurdistan Parliament's term for a year to allow time for more talks over issues such as amending the election law and the sharing of tax and oil revenue.

But in May last year, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court ruled all decisions made by the regional Parliament after its extension were null and void, including one to reactivate the region’s electoral commission to oversee the ballot.

In February, the court ruled the Kurdistan region's Parliament should have 100 members instead of 111, scrapping the 11 quota seats allocated for religious and ethnic minorities, all of them belonging to the KDP.

The ruling also stipulates that Kurdistan should be divided into four constituencies instead of the single-constituency system adopted in previous votes. The elections will be overseen by the national electoral commission.

The following month, KDP said those decisions were “unconstitutional” and that it “will not partake in an illegal and unconstitutional election under an imposed system”.

Most Christian and Turkmen parties joined the decision to boycott the elections, demanding the return of their quota seats.

Last month, the elections branch of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council decided to allocate five seats to the minorities within the total 100 seats after a complaint filed by Christian politician Yousif Yacoub Matti, head of the Bethnahrain Patriotic Union.

According to the decision, the five seats will be divided among the following provinces: one in Duhok, two in Erbil and two seats in Sulaimani.

Iraq's electoral commission has suggested setting September 5 a new date for the vote since June 10 has been missed, Ms Al Ghalaie said.

“We are waiting now for a decree from the Kurdistan Region to set the new date for the election,” she said.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

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Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now

There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:

1. Rising US interest rates

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.

Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”

At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.

2. Stronger dollar

High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.” 

3. Global trade war

Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”

4. Eurozone uncertainty

Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”

The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”

Updated: June 10, 2024, 9:36 AM`