Anastas Barkhudar
Fadil Berxwedan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 6th President of Iotopha | |
| Assumed office 12 February 2010 | |
| Premier |
|
| Preceded by | Beyar Sazan |
| 10th Premier of Iotopha | |
| In office 20 April 2009 – 12 February 2010 | |
| President |
|
| Preceded by | Reşo Gulasor |
| Succeeded by | Sîmal Heliz |
| Chief Secretary to the President | |
| In office 7 September 1998 – 16 April 2001 | |
| President | Zozan Talabani |
| Preceded by | Fadil Hariri |
| Succeeded by | Lokman Polat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fadil Darayavahush Berxwedan 22 February 1959 Cizîr, Iotophan SR, Iotopha |
| Political party | Freedom and Solidarity |
| Other political affiliations | Unity (2001–2004) All-People's Union (1992–2001) Revolutionary Workers' Party (before 1992) |
| Spouse(s) | Delal Azmoun (m. 1988; div. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | State University of Afar |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Iotopha |
| Branch/service |  Iotophan Army |
| Years of service | 1983 – 1990 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
Fadil Berxwedan (born 22 February 1959) is an Iotophan statesman and former military officer serving as President of Iotopha since 2010. He was Premier of Iotopha from 2009 until 2010. During his term as Premier, he oversaw the impeachment and conviction of President Beyar Sazan, before eventually becoming President. He is the founder of the National Liberation Party, and served as its Chairman from 2004 until 2010.
Berxwedan was born in Cizîr in the Iotophan SR. He studied law at the State University of Afar, graduating in 1982. He joined the military in 1983, and served as an officer in the Iotophan Army until 1991, earning the rank of Lieutenant. From 1985 until the end of his active service, he was a member of the {special forces}. In 1991, he entered politics and worked as an aide to Premier Fadil Nematollah, and later to President Zozan Talabani, under whom he served as Chief Secretary. He rose to national prominence when he assisted {police org} in apprehending President Talabani after he refused to step down following a loss in the 2001 presidential election. Berxwedan ran for president in the 2007 election, where he was defeated by Beyar Sazan. At the 2009 special election, his party earned a majority of the Assembly and Berxwedan was appointed Premier.
He became President in 2010, and served over half of Sazan's term. In 2013, he was elected to his first term as President, defeating Cem Pashew by a 50% to 30% margin. Due to serving over half of Sazan's term, he is constitutionally limited from standing in the 2019 election, which prohibits more than two sequential terms. However, in summer 2018, legislation was introduced to amend the constitution to remove presidential term limits.