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Necirvan BarzaniIraqi Kurdish politician
Date of Birth: 21.09.1966
Country:  Iran |
Content:
Nechirvan Barzani: A Kurdish Political Leader
Early Life and EducationNechirvan Barzani was born in Barzan, Iraqi Kurdistan, into a prominent Kurdish family. He is the grandson of Mustafa Barzani, the Kurdish national hero, and the son of Idris Barzani. After the defeat of the September Revolution in 1975, Barzani's family moved to Iran, where he completed his secondary education in Karaj, a suburb of Tehran. He began his political involvement in the youth branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the "Union of High School Students of Kurdistan." His father often accompanied him on diplomatic trips to Europe and the Middle East.
In 1984, Barzani enrolled in the Faculty of Political Science at Tehran University. However, he left in 1987 after the sudden death of his father, dedicating himself fully to politics. He became a member of the KDP's Central Committee in 1989.
Political Career
Following the liberation of Kurdistan in 1991, Barzani became the governor of Dohuk city and district. In 1996, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and, in 1999, Prime Minister of the KDP government in Erbil.
From March 2006 to September 2009, Barzani served as the head of the unified (KDP-Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)) Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). As Prime Minister, he actively promoted Kurdistan's economic and social development, leading to an economic boom. He launched the Internet development program, establishing a wide network of Internet cafes to ensure accessibility for all residents. Barzani also initiated and implemented large-scale projects in infrastructure and investment, such as the 10-year tax holiday for foreign investors and ambitious building programs, including the Dream City elite neighborhood and the Airport City business center in Erbil.
Leadership and Policies
Barzani's calm and non-confrontational demeanor earned him respect even among opponents of the KDP, establishing him as a clear choice for the head of the unified government. On the KRG's official website, he has expressed his ideals for a "secular, pluralistic, and democratic government" and "a free and prosperous Kurdistan living in peace with itself and its neighbors."
After the formation of a new KRG cabinet in 2010, Barzani was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
Personal Life
Apart from his native Kurdish, Barzani is proficient in Persian, Arabic, and English. He has a deep appreciation for Persian and Kurdish poetry. He is married and has two children.
