Iraqi, KRG PMs discuss 2027 federal budget

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani. Photo: PMO Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received on Monday the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, in Baghdad to discuss Iraqi Kurdistan’s financial entitlements and its share in the draft 2027 federal budget. The precise amount allocated to the Kurdistan region of Iraq is a major source of disagreement. Approximately 12.7 percent is what the first draft budget suggests. The KRG, on the other hand, is strongly advocating for 14.14 percent, claiming that the budget has to take into account Iraqi Kurdistan’s real population statistics from the most recent census. Barzani has openly said that any distribution that falls short of this population-based proportion is unfair. The discussions included establishing conclusive procedures to address persistent delays in the payment of salaries for Iraqi Kurdistan’s civil servants. Recently, al-Zaidi reiterated Baghdad’s resolve to ensure that Kurdish public sector workers receive the same treatment as their colleagues in other Iraqi provinces. The diplomatic effort tackles long-standing disagreements on constitutional rights, compliance with Iraqi Federal Court decisions, and oil income sharing. The meeting takes place at a critical time. The Iraqi cabinet is scheduled to discuss and submit the finalized draft budget bill to parliament.