ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani on Monday called on his Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to resolve their differences and end the political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region, days after the PUK withdrew from the government in protest against the reactivation of parliament without its participation.
In a statement issued by his office, President Barzani stressed that “the interest of the people of Kurdistan is greater than any other interest or objective,” calling on the PUK to engage in dialogue with the KDP to overcome the ongoing political crisis.
“On this basis, I call upon our brothers in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to sit down together with the Kurdistan Democratic Party, resolve the issues, and put an end to the political crisis in the Kurdistan Region,” the KDP leader said.
The appeal comes amid mounting friction between the KDP and PUK following the Kurdistan Parliament's resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, ending nearly two years of legislative paralysis.
The legislature reconvened through a KDP-led initiative supported by minority representatives, smaller political groups and lawmakers who broke ranks with their parties, including three PUK members. A total of 52 lawmakers attended the session, narrowly surpassing the 51-member quorum required in the 100-seat legislature.
During the session, lawmakers unanimously elected KDP politician Vala Farid as parliament speaker, Christian quota representative Rami Noori as deputy speaker and Turkmen quota representative Muna Qahwachi as parliament secretary.
The move prompted an immediate backlash from PUK leader Bafel Talabani, who announced on Thursday that his party would withdraw from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet in protest against parliament's reactivation without its participation.
“This government has failed. Therefore, the first decision of the PUK leadership following this thing [parliament reactivation] is that we will immediately withdraw from this failed government, which calls itself the government of Kurdistan,” Talabani said in a video message.
He also pledged to redirect the party's resources towards providing services to residents in areas under its control - Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
The PUK leader also denounced parliament's resumption as “illegal, far removed from the principles of genuine partnership, and it is an attempt to impose the will of a single party.” The party has also declared that it will not recognize the legislature or participate in its future sessions.
The latest rift has further complicated efforts to form the Kurdistan Region's tenth cabinet, more than two years after the October 2024 parliamentary elections.
The KDP, which secured 39 seats in the election, has argued that parliament should resume its legislative responsibilities independently of negotiations over the next regional government. The PUK, which won 23 seats, has maintained that an agreement on key government positions must be reached before the legislature reconvenes.
In his Monday statement, President Barzani expressed hope that other political parties would participate in the political process and work towards forming an inclusive regional government that addresses "the demands and aspirations of the people of Kurdistan."
The two parties have traditionally shared power in the Kurdistan Region, but disagreements over the allocation of senior positions, including the premiership and influential cabinet portfolios, have repeatedly stalled negotiations.
Last updated at 11:15 am.
