Iraq is going through a critical transitional phase to establish a democratic state, Hikmat Muhammad Karim, also known as Mulla Bakhtiyar, a prominent political leader and a commander and General of the Kurdish PUK Peshmerga forces, told Al Mayadeen Plus.

"Iraq is currently going through a phase of establishing democracy, and we are specifically at the beginning of this phase," the joint leader of the Supreme Political Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) underlined.

"This process is very difficult for a country that was ruled by a fascist regime for 35 years, which established powerful military, security, political, and social institutions deeply entrenched in society," he said, referring to the government of Saddam Hussein.
 
“Totalitarian fascist regimes affect every detail of life, as is still the case in Germany, Italy, and Spain today,” adding that transitioning to what he described as a post-fascist stage in a country like Iraq is far more difficult than in countries that were never under fascist rule.

Post-US invasion Iraq

Bakhtiyar said that Iraq “went through the most dangerous historical, political, cultural, and psychological phase in the Middle East before the outbreak of the Syrian crisis,” noting that “liberation from fascist regimes and achieving stability afterward is extremely difficult.”

The Peshmerga leader pointed to the past five parliamentary election cycles the country went through, as it approaches its sixth, saying that building a real democracy requires a long time.

"Democracy cannot be built without comprehensive and continuous reform," Bakhtiyar told Al Mayadeen Plus.

"The reforms needed in Iraq must be radical, intellectual, economic, cultural, psychological, developmental, and structural," the Iraqi Kurdish politician added. 

"All these reforms form a set of historical tasks for how to build the democratic process," he asserted.

Emphasizing the early stages of democratization in the West, Bakhtiyar noted that Iraq benefits from entering the democratic process in the era of globalization, enabling the country to achieve its democratic goals more rapidly than European nations did.

Economic infrastructure as the basis of democracy

“Economic infrastructure is the foundation for building reform,” Bakhtiyar emphasized, explaining that the Iraqi government cannot rely solely on oil sales for its budget, and called for the diversification of income sources.

On the relationship between Kurdish identity and Iraqi national identity, Bakhtiyar emphasized that "the establishment of a democratic system has the power to transcend ethnic and sectarian conflicts," adding that "as democracy becomes firmly established, ethnic tensions naturally diminish."

He said that democracy requires "the liberation of women, approaching religion with a contemporary civil mindset, alongside economic, political, social, psychological, and cultural rehabilitation."

"Fully implementing the constitution without selectively applying or neglecting certain articles will be the most important step toward building a just state that embraces all its citizens, regardless of their ethnic or sectarian backgrounds," he added.

Key political milestones in Bakhtiyar’s life

Bakhtiyar, a politician and intellectual, highlighted one of the most pivotal moments in his political career, recalling meetings with several senior figures of the former Iraqi regime, including Saddam Hussein, Izzat al-Douri, Taha Ramadan, and Tariq Aziz, during the 1984 negotiation rounds between the regime, the Kurdistan Democratic Union Party, and the Ba’ath Party, chaired by fromer President Jalal Talabani.

Bakhtiyar noted that he visited Baghdad three times as part of the negotiation delegation, stressing that these encounters marked significant milestones in his political journey, during which he balanced party work with both armed and political struggle.

Reflecting on past assassination attempts, Bakhtiyar disclosed that he survived eight attacks, seven involving explosions or gunfire, and one involving poisoning. He emphasized that these attempts were not motivated by personal enmity but were rooted in ideological and political struggles tied to his defense of democratic principles.

Presidential candidacy and upcoming elections

On the prospect of running for the Iraqi presidency, Bakhtiyar stated, "So far, I have not decided to run for the presidency, and I anticipate that my candidacy would be challenged."

He explained that "party and political considerations, the complex situation in Baghdad and the broader region, as well as my ideological and philosophical convictions, all make the decision difficult," adding that "abandoning one’s ideological and philosophical principles would amount to political suicide."

He emphasized that "the public good is best served when one stands firm on their principles, rather than compromising them."

On the possibility of calling off the elections, Bakhtiyar said that "the elections will be held on schedule, unless an unexpected incident occurs, particularly on the security or military front."

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Iraq: Vital nation in the region

"Iraq is currently facing several challenges, including its relations with the United States, the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces, the economic situation, as well as its ties with Iran and the fate of the region.”

He noted that "Iraq is an important country in the Middle East from a geopolitical standpoint," stressing that it is impossible to shape the region’s future without recognizing Iraq as a vital nation that both shapes and is shaped by its regional environment.

Bakhtiyar praised Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for "his efforts to spare Iraq from regional crises in recent months," considering that "implementing the constitution and resolving disputes among political parties and components are essential conditions for the stability of the state."

He underscored that the upcoming elections are the most consequential to date, describing them as "a genuine test of the Iraqi people’s political consciousness."

"We all place great hopes on these elections; the more Iraqis transform themselves, the greater our chance of rescuing our nation from the political turmoil that continues to entangle us," he said.

Sulaymaniyah, Arabs, and Kurds

Bakhtiyar highlighted the unique status of Sulaymaniyah, describing it as one of Iraq and Kurdistan’s foremost centers of culture, literature, civic life, politics, and resistance. While expressing pride in his hometown of Khanaqin, he emphasized that Sulaymaniyah’s role over the past 270 years has made it a cornerstone of Kurdish and Iraqi cultural and political development.

"When Arab visitors come to see me in Sulaymaniyah and are astonished by its development, I jokingly tell them: Do you see what we, the so-called ‘destroyers,’ have built, and what you, the people of civilization, have done to Baghdad and Basra!"

Bakhtiyar said that Arab-Kurdish relations still suffer from what he described as "mutual misunderstanding," explaining that "the fundamental perceptions between Arabs and Kurds have yet to change, because democratic culture has not yet become a genuine part of societal culture."

He remarked, "If the Arabs, not only the Iraqis, still do not consider Granada part of the Arab and Islamic nation, then how can they view Kirkuk, Khanaqin, or Makhmour as integral parts of a unified state?"

"The transformation from a non-democratic state to a democratic one is a complex and painful historical process that cannot be achieved merely by declaring the state democratic," adding that "anyone who believes democracy can be built through slogans alone is gravely mistaken."

Bakhtiyar affirmed that "democracy is not something to be merely taught, but practiced and lived," explaining that its realization "requires freedom of thought, women’s emancipation, and the freedom of society, political parties, and religious sects."

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Relations with Baghdad and intra-Kurdish disputes

Bakhtiyar also stated that "relations between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government remain complex and will require more time to stabilize."

"A return to the conflicts of past decades is now unlikely, which is a significant development in itself," he explained.

"The core of the crisis lies in the absence of genuine democratic practice in Iraq," noting that "disputes among ruling forces, whether Shiite, Sunni, or Kurdish, alongside divergent interpretations of the constitution, continue to strain ties between Erbil and Baghdad."

"Political decisions in Iraq lack transparency, with key discussions taking place behind closed doors before they are presented as official decisions."

"This reality applies not only to Baghdad but also to the Kurdistan Region," Bakhtiyar underlined.

He further emphasized that calls from Iraqi Kurdistan for the full implementation of the Iraqi constitution and the advancement of federalism are rooted in a commitment to principles rather than personal or political hostility.

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Intra-PUK disputes

Regarding internal disagreements within the PUK, Bakhtiyar clarified that his differences with Bafel Talabani, the leader of the PUK, are not personal but stem from political, intellectual, civic, and ethical considerations. He noted that while personal conflicts can be quickly resolved, the deeper issue revolves around differing interpretations of the political landscape in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, the wider region, and Iraq as a whole.

Regional government still to be formed

Bakhtiyar highlighted that the rift between PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barazani, stems from fundamental differences in vision. He emphasized that under Jalal Talabani’s leadership, the parties were better able to manage their relationship and avoid internal conflict, underscoring the importance of strong leadership in maintaining unity.
 
Discussing the ongoing crisis in forming a government in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Bakhtiyar said, "It is unfortunate that a year has passed since the Kurdistan Parliament elections, yet a government has still not been formed."

"The two main parties have not learned from past experiences and have failed to use previous lessons as a guide to resolve disputes between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah," he underscored.

"The continued delay harms the Kurdish political scene and erodes public trust in democratic institutions," he said, stressing the pressing need for a comprehensive political reassessment in the region before the situation deteriorates further.
 
Bakhtiyar also noted that "the political reality in the Kurdistan Region differs from Baghdad, and the complexities of the Kurdish experience are unlikely to be transferred to the capital."

"The Shiite parties possess immense struggle, sacrifice, and capabilities, and I anticipate that they will likely win a majority and form the government."

Bakhtiyar voiced concerns over the likely challenges in forming a government in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region after the Iraqi elections, stressing that without consensus on convening the parliament and establishing a functioning government, the political process could face significant delays and instability.

Elections to decide Iraqi presidency

Regarding the presidency, he noted that the position is closely tied to the number of seats the PUK and the KDP secure in the Iraqi parliament. He explained that if the PUK wins the required number of seats, it would likely seek the presidency, while some political circles in Baghdad have suggested allocating the post to a Sunni politician, a move that could trigger new political tensions.

He emphasized that the Iraqi presidency remains the most important office in the country, as it symbolizes the identity of the federal state. For Kurds, he said, the role reflects their dual identity, Iraqi Kurds first, and Iraqis when necessary. Bakhtiyar added that Iraq’s sixth parliamentary elections have fostered a growing sense of democratic awareness, noting that Iraq has historically been a pioneer in building civil society. He observed that electoral awareness in Kurdistan is relatively advanced due to past experiences.

He criticized the low turnout in previous elections, pointing out that only 27% of eligible voters participated in Baghdad, highlighting a deep distrust between citizens and the political system. He argued that meeting public expectations, promoting social justice, and improving living conditions would encourage political participation and engagement in civil and cultural institutions.

On Iraq’s post-election trajectory, Bakhtiyar stressed that much of the country’s future is tied to regional challenges, from Palestine and southern Lebanon to Syria, Yemen, and the fate of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

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