Kurdistan Rejects Proposed 2027 Budget Allocations, Demands Adjustment

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced its rejection of the anticipated 2027 federal budget allocations on Wednesday, affirming its insistence on securing a 14% share of the general federal budget. The region bases its stance on the results of the population census conducted by the federal government. During a press conference held after a KRG cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and his deputy Qubad Talabani, KRG Spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani stated that "the true share of the Kurdistan Region from the federal general budget should be 14%, not 12.67%." Hawramani considered the latter percentage to be inconsistent with the aforementioned population census results. Hawramani emphasized the necessity of guaranteeing the salaries of KRG employees within the federal general budget, separating them from all political disputes. He noted that over one million beneficiaries receive their salaries through the "Hesabi" project. The spokesperson also called for the Iraqi Minister of Planning to be hosted in the Council of Representatives to discuss the Kurdistan Region's share of the federal budget.