Kurdistan Region PM Barzani congratulates UK’s newly appointed PM Burnham

ERBIL, Iraq — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani congratulated Andy Burnham on his appointment as prime minister of the United Kingdom. In a post on X, Barzani said the Kurdistan Region and Iraq share longstanding historical ties with the UK and expressed a wish to work together to strengthen shared values. King Charles III tasked Burnham, the Labour Party leader, with forming a government following the acceptance of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation. Burnham became the UK’s seventh prime minister in the past decade. In remarks after his appointment, he said his government would prioritize the cost-of-living crisis, the improvement of public services and the promotion of economic growth. Burnham’s office said his first address would signal a more stable and responsible policy course. His election to the Labour Party leadership on Friday was described by Burnham as the most significant moment of political change in Britain in 40 years, and he pledged to reform the political system and raise living standards. Burnham was expected to announce his cabinet in the coming hours, a step seen as his first political test, particularly over the choice of chancellor of the exchequer.