Speaking at the 17th International Book Fair in Erbil, Barzani said the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bear the greatest responsibility in forming the new cabinet, urging them to “hurry in forming the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government.”
“They have taken good steps, but there is still work left to do. They must finish the work as soon as possible and form the cabinet,” Barzani said.
The Kurdistan Region held its long-delayed parliamentary elections on October 20. The KDP won 39 seats in the 100-member parliament, while the PUK came in second with 23. As neither party secured a majority, the next government will require a coalition.
Barzani expressed hope that all political parties - including opposition factions - would take part in the new government, despite some refusing to join and alleging fraud in the election results.
“I again ask all the [political] parties to participate,” he said, adding that the elections were held under the supervision of the United Nations and international observers. “Compared to the previous elections, it was very, very good.”
“The opposition should be present to show better ways [of governance] to the cabinet,” he added.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, a KDP deputy leader, said on Tuesday that neither the KDP nor the PUK intends to delay the formation of the next cabinet, expressing hope that talks would soon resume.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, also a KDP deputy leader, met with PUK leader Bafel Talabani in Erbil in March. Both sides described their discussions on forming a new government as “very good.”
PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira told Rudaw in late March that the distribution of posts in the new cabinet would be decided after Eid al-Fitr in early April, noting that both sides were “very close” to reaching an agreement.
During his speech, KDP leader Barzani also warned Iraqi officials to work towards preventing the country from being drawn into regional conflicts amid heightened tensions in the region.
“The officials now in Baghdad must do everything they can so that Iraq does not get involved in those conflicts,” he said.
His remarks came after reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei placed the country’s military on high alert, warning neighboring states hosting US military bases not to support any potential American attacks.
The US has also boosted its military presence in the region, with forces positioned within striking distance of Iran.
Despite rising tensions, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appear to be underway. US President Donald Trump on Monday said that “direct talks” between the two sides had already begun and that “we are meeting very importantly on Saturday [April 12], at almost the highest level.”
In a rare op-ed published Tuesday in The Washington Post, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran views the recent exchanges with the US as a “genuine attempt” to clarify positions and open a window toward diplomacy. However, he warned that while Iran prefers diplomacy, it knows how to defend itself.
