The Political System of Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Comparative Study with Established Parliamentary Democracies

Abstract

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), established in 1992 following its first parliamentary elections, represents a distinctive case within the Middle East where political institutions have formally adopted a parliamentary framework but operate in practice as a hybrid system. The concentration of executive authority in the presidency, alongside the dominance of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has produced a governance structure that diverges significantly from established parliamentary democracies. This study aims to critically examine the nature of the political system in the KRI, guided by the central research question: to what extent does party dominance, the absence of a constitution, and external pressures shape the functioning of the Kurdistan Parliament? The research employs a comparative analytical method, drawing on both primary and secondary literature, to contrast the KRI’s political arrangements with those of established parliamentary systems such as Scotland and other democratic models. Findings indicate that while the KRI parliament theoretically possesses extensive legislative powers, in practice its authority is undermined by the executive’s concentration of power, regional party divisions, and recurrent crises. The lack of an enacted constitution further blurs the separation of powers, leaving governance dependent on informal mechanisms and political bargains. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how hybrid governance structures in semi-autonomous regions can hinder democratic consolidation. It underscores that political consensus among parties in the KRI, while important, is insufficient without formal constitutional reform to clarify institutional roles and strengthen parliamentary oversight. The paper thus provides insights into both the limitations of the KRI’s current system and the potential pathways for political reform.