The leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) met in Erbil. This was their second meeting in three months to discuss the delayed Kurdistan government formation.
According to KDP leader Masoud Barzani’s office, the discussion focused on “the political situation in Iraq and the region, the political process of the Kurdistan Region, and the formation of the new government of the Region.”
PUK leader Bafel Talabani confirmed the meeting in a statement on Facebook. Reports said the meeting lasted nearly three hours. No other officials from either party attended. The two leaders explored ways to remove obstacles preventing the Kurdistan government formation.
The Kurdistan Region held its long-delayed parliamentary election in October last year. The KDP won 39 out of 100 seats, while the PUK won 23. Traditionally, these two parties share power when forming the regional government.
Talabani and Barzani last met in July. That meeting also included Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, both deputy leaders of the KDP. At the time, Prime Minister Barzani said they had agreed on a cabinet agenda, with the possibility for other parties to join.
However, no final deal has been announced yet. The parliament has only convened once since the election, in December. Observers say delays are fueled by disagreements over ministerial positions and party representation. The Kurdistan government formation continues to face political hurdles despite ongoing negotiations.
Saturday’s meeting coincided with a milestone in Kurdish oil exports. After a two-and-a-half-year stoppage, oil shipments resumed under an agreement between Erbil, Baghdad, and international oil companies. Analysts noted that while economic progress continues, political uncertainty remains a key challenge for governance in the Kurdistan Region.
The two parties’ negotiations are critical for stabilizing the region. Successful Kurdistan government formation would enable smoother implementation of policies, economic initiatives, and coordination with Baghdad.