ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Unofficial talks have begun on the formation of the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) with the two largest players, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) jockeying for influence.
“The PUK be dealt with in the next cabinet according to its endeavors, rather than on the basis of its seats. We have communicated this message to the KDP. If they don’t take this into account, the PUK leadership will make up its mind," said Adnan Mufti, a PUK politburo.
According to 85 percent of the official preliminary results released by the commission, the KDP has secured 44 seats while the PUK 21, Gorran 12, New Generation 8, Komal 7, Toward Reform 5 and the Modern Coalition 1.
Mufti added it would have been normal to form the government on the basis of seats each party has won if Kurdistan was stable under the rule of law. But this is not the case with Kurdistan, he said.
“The PUK reigns in Kurdistan, especially in Sulaimani and Halabja. That is why the PUK shouldn’t be dealt with on the basis of its seats,” said Barzan Ahmad Kurda, a PUK leadership member.
If the preliminary results hold, the KDP and PUK will have an absolute majority in parliament.
“We and the KDP as two big parties should engage in serious negotiations in order to form the government,” said Qadir Hamajan, a member of PUK’s politburo body.
The KDP will make a final decision on this matter after final election results are announced, Kamal Kirkuki, a KDP politburo member, said. But Nuri Hama Ali, a KDP leadership member, said his party wants to form the next cabinet with other parties on the basis of their seats in the parliament.
“At least, the post of deputy prime minister and some ministry positions should be given back to the PUK. That is, the KDP shouldn’t think of treating the PUK in the same way they treat Komal, KIU, Gorran,” said a PUK leadership member who wished to remain anonymous.
In the previous parliament, Gorran was the second-largest party with 24 seats. They also performed poorly in the Iraqi parliamentary election after loss of charismatic party founder Nawshirwan Mustafa. New Generation, based in Sulaimani, has also swallowed some seats.
“Each party should be given a chance to serve according to its weight. The PUK is currently the second biggest party and should therefore be given positions of power according to its weight. This is not Baghdad. No Shiites or chauvinistic Arabs make decisions here. We should engage in dialogue and understand each other. The KDP has always sacrificed itself. We have a big heart,” Nuri Hama Ali said.
The KDP is considering reducing the number of ministries and engaging Turkmen and Christians in the cabinet. A former KDP MP has argued there is precedent if parties outright boycott the parliament.
“The party that wants to serve most should be allowed to shoulder the responsibility to do so. A government should be formed to serve people and develop the experience of democracy. A majority government should be formed if a coalition government cannot be formed on the basis of each party’s weight,” said Ismael Namiq, member of the Gorran National Assembly.
He added a KDP-only or PUK-only government will lead to split the KRG.
There are ongoing discussions between the KDP, PUK and Gorran about the formation of the next government and there are indications these three parties will form the cabinet in cooperation with the Turkmen and Christians.
Final results could be announced on Monday or Tuesday, the commission said after examining 28 of the 228 disputed ballot boxes on Sunday.
