Kurdistan
Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi (left) and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (right) in Erbil on May 2, 2026. Photo: Nechirvan Barzani/X
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi held meetings with the Kurdistan Region’s top officials and leaders of political parties during his first visit to Erbil and Sulaimani after being tasked with forming a new federal government.
Zaidi first met with Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, as well as Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Erbil.
"During the meeting, the two sides discussed the need to accelerate the formation of the government in accordance with the election entitlements, as well as adhering to constitutional timelines," said President Masoud Barzani's office in a statement.
During the meeting, the KDP leader "stressed the importance of resolving the outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government within the framework of the constitution" and "emphasized that implementing and adhering to the constitution is the main solution, calling on all parties to remain committed to it in order to ensure the country’s stability.”
President Nechirvan Barzani said in a post on X that he and Zaidi discussed "challenges of the sensitive phase Iraq is going through."
"We affirmed our full support for his success in forming a strong government that meets the aspirations of the Iraqi people and strengthens stability, wishing him every success in this national responsibility to serve Iraq and its people," he added.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said Zaidi "reaffirmed his commitment to the fair treatment of the people of Kurdistan."
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.
A delegation from the alliance accompanied Zaidi during his visit to both Kurdish cities.
Zaidi met with Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, soon after arriving in Sulaimani.
Talabani said in a statement that the two discussed resolving outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad, stressing that a government should be formed that "ensures a dignified life for citizens, overcomes economic and security challenges, and protects the rights of all Iraqi components—especially the Kurdish people—in accordance with the constitution."
Zaidi later held meetings with Shaswar Abdulwahid, president of the New Generation Movement, the largest opposition party in the Kurdistan Region, and other Kurdish political parties.
The PM-designate later told reporters that he had good meetings with the Kurdish leaders, adding that they "all" will take part in his cabinet.
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