Kurdistan
Lawmakers and representatives of Kurdish political parties, accompanied by Darbaz Kosrat Rasul Ali, held a meeting with the Coordination Framework, led by Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition and a key figure within the ruling Shiite bloc, on May 6, 2026. Photo: PUK media
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Three Kurdish opposition parties said in a joint statement on Wednesday that they were not represented by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) during a meeting with Iraq’s Coordination Framework.
The Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), the Stance Movement (Halwest), and the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal) issued the clarification after claims circulated on PUK-affiliated media and an X account linked to senior PUK member Darbaz Kosrat Rasul, who attended Wednesday’s meeting, stating he had represented “the majority of Kurdish parties” at the Coordination Framework’s Supreme Committee session.
Rasul said he “led” a Kurdish delegation that included representatives from the PUK, the New Generation Movement (NGM), KIU, Komal, and Halwest. “During the meeting, we presented our political vision and program for forming the new Iraqi government headed by Mr. Ali al-Zaidi,” he wrote on X.
“We also held in-depth discussions on the Kurdish community’s rightful share in the upcoming government,” he added.
The statement attributed to PUK-linked sources drew a sharp response from the three opposition parties.
KIU, Halwest, and Komal - which collectively hold 10 seats in Iraq’s parliament - strongly rejected Rasul’s claims, stressing that their representatives attended independently and submitted separate proposals for the formation of the next Iraqi government.
The parties emphasized that their political decisions are “independent.”
“As three independent blocs - Halwest, KIU, and Komal - we presented our joint 20-point program, which was welcomed by the Coordination Framework’s Supreme Committee,” the statement said, reiterating that their delegation represented only themselves and was not part of any PUK-led team.
“It was agreed that all Kurdistan Region parties would meet with the Coordination Framework to discuss the rights and entitlements of the people of Kurdistan in the next Iraqi cabinet. No individual or party was designated to lead the delegation,” the statement added.
Halwest leader Ali Salih said his party would not accept government posts or ministerial portfolios through either the PUK or the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
“I was not satisfied with today’s delegation,” Salih said.
Jamal Kochar, an outspoken lawmaker from KIU, told Rudaw that the opposition parties submitted a joint proposal, while the PUK presented its own program.
Kurdish parties currently hold 56 seats in Iraq’s 329-member Council of Representatives. The ruling KDP holds 29 seats, while the PUK has 18, ranking first and second among Kurdish factions.
Kurds are expected to receive around five ministerial portfolios in the next Iraqi government, including a sovereign post likely to go to the KDP.
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