This election, must start new chapter in relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad, said 26-year-old Hawzar Salar as he cast his in the regional Arbil.. ... On Monday, Baghdad is due to elect the president of the country.. ..…

relations with Baghdad have since improved, the disastrous fallout from the referendum accelerated splits between KDP and PUK and within the parties themselves. ... Baghdad over the presidency has contributed to in Kurdish that Sunday's election is formality and one that would entrench..…

Veteran KDP leader Masoud Barzani has managed to retain a support base even though he led an independence bid that brought hardship for the Kurds after military and economic retaliation from Baghdad. . ..…

Since then, they have been at loggerheads with Baghdad over rights to develop and to export oil and gas including the city of Kirkuk, major oil hub.. ... Baghdad government, shut down Kurdish region's airports and border crossings in response to the referendum. ..…

The vote, spearheaded by KDP Massoud Barzani, was held in defiance of the community, sparking anger and rejection from Baghdad's central government.. ..…