In every democracy around the world, Parliament is expected to represent the voice of the people, create laws, and hold the government accountable. However, when it is unable to fulfil these responsibilities, its existence alone does not necessarily represent true democracy. In recent years, many citizens in Kurdistan have felt that important decisions are being made outside the Parliament, while the role of elected representatives has become increasingly limited. This raises an important question: Is Parliament truly the centre of decision-making, or has it become merely a formal institution? Parliament is a legislative institution where representatives of the people gather to create laws and oversee the government. The strength of any parliament is measured by its ability to provide oversight, demand accountability, and protect the public interest. The Kurdistan Parliament has, in many situations, lost its real role. Instead of being the voice of the people and an institution that monitors those in power, it has often been seen as an institution that simply approves political decisions. From the perspective of critics, political influence surrounding the Barzani and Talabani families has contributed to limiting the independence of Parliament. As a result, Parliament is viewed less as an independent institution and more as a part of the wider political power structure. The weakening of Parliament has been a gradual process. The influence of major political forces, the handling of many important issues outside Parliament, and the decline of its role in oversight and accountability are among the main reasons behind this situation. The consequences of this situation are not only political. A lack of transparency, weakened accountability, delays in public services, and declining public trust in institutions are some of the wider impacts. The meaning behind “Kurdistan Without a Parliament” is not that Parliament does not physically exist. Rather, it reflects the concern that Parliament has been unable to fully perform its essential role as the representative of the people and as a body that holds power accountable. As long as Parliament does not become the centre of decision-making and accountability, this question will continue to remain: Does Kurdistan have an effective Parliament, or simply an institution that carries the name of Parliament? Rawaz IbrahimMember of Dakok Organisation