ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The leader of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), Salahaddin Bahaaddin, met with the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, in Sulaimani on Sunday, where the former presented what both sides described as an initiative aimed at easing the Kurdistan Region’s prolonged political deadlock.
A statement from the KIU leader’s office described the move as “a national and comprehensive initiative aimed at ending the current political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region and paving the way for harmony and dialogue” between political forces.
During the meeting, Bahaaddin told Talabani that “the prolongation of this stalemate causes great harm to the Kurdistan Region's entity regarding the opportunities and challenges ahead. Everyone must cooperate with a responsible vision.”
In a statement issued by his office, Talabani welcomed the initiative, saying: “We in the PUK - in the past, present, and future - welcome any initiative that stems from sincerity and serves the interests and benefits of the people of Kurdistan.”
The meeting comes amid a prolonged political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region, where rival parties have failed to form the tenth regional cabinet more than 18 months after parliamentary elections held in October 2024.
In the elections, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 39 seats and the PUK secured 23 in the 100-seat parliament, with no party achieving a majority. The resulting negotiations to form a new government have stalled over disputes regarding governance structures and key ministerial posts.
Smaller parties, including the KIU, the New Generation Movement (NGM), and the National Stance Movement (Halwest), together hold a number of seats that have further complicated coalition-building efforts. Meanwhile, the political landscape remains divided, with the KDP maintaining control over Erbil and Duhok, while the PUK retains influence in Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
Tensions have also been heightened by disagreements over potential alliances, including the PUK’s coordination with opposition NGM, which has become a point of contention in ongoing negotiations over the formation of the next Kurdistan Regional Government.
The PUK statement added that, as an immediate response to the initiative, “starting today and in order to pave the way for calming the situation, the PUK media outlets will support this atmosphere and will not be a part of escalating conflicts.”
The KIU delegation also highlighted the need for cooperation among political parties to resolve the current impasse. Both sides agreed that the continuation of the political stalemate “does not serve the public interest” and called for “serious steps” to address obstacles through a national approach focused on citizens’ needs.