Kurdistan
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (left) shaking hands with Iraqi PM-designate Ali al-Zaidi upon the latter's arrival in the Erbil international airport on May 2, 2026. Photo: Iraqi PM media office
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Erbil on Saturday, where he was received at the airport by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, as part of efforts to advance talks on forming a new federal government with Kurdish leaders.
Zaidi is expected to meet President Masoud Barzani, leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani during his visit to Erbil. He is also scheduled to travel to Sulaimani later in the day for talks with Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurditstan (PUK).
The Coordination Framework - the largest bloc in parliament with 174 seats in the 329-member legislature - earlier this week nominated Zaidi as its candidate for prime minister, a position traditionally held by a Shiite.
On the same day, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi formally tasked Zaidi with forming a new government and submitting his cabinet and ministerial program to parliament within 30 days, in accordance with the constitution.
Meanwhile, Saad al-Saadi, a politburo member of the al-Sadiqoon Movement - led by cleric Qais al-Khazali - said the Shiite alliance has formed a committee to assist Zaidi in drafting his ministerial program.
Zaidi is accompanied by a delegation from the Coordination Framework in his Saturday visit to the Kurdistan Region.
Saadi added that a “roadmap outlining the next Iraqi government’s structure” will also be presented to various political actors, including Kurdish parties.
This is a developing story...
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