KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A key meeting between the Kurdistan Region’s ruling parties - the Masoud Barzani-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Bafel Talabani-led Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - is scheduled in Erbil’s Pirmam district to strengthen Kurdish unity amid tensions with Baghdad and discuss the formation of the upcoming Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet.

In a Sunday statement on X, Aziz Ahmed, deputy chief of staff to the Region’s prime minister, announced that the party leaders will meet “tomorrow” Monday to address unifying the Kurdish position amid ongoing disputes with Baghdad,“ among other pressing issues.”

Tensions escalated in late May when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the KRG, accusing Erbil of receiving more than its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget and failing to deliver its agreed oil quota to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO).

This move has left over 1.2 million public employees in the Kurdistan Region unpaid for more than two months.

Earlier Sunday, a KDP source told Rudaw that the meeting “will take place under the direct supervision” of KDP leader Barzani. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, both deputy leaders of the KDP, will also attend.

A PUK politburo source confirmed their delegation will be led by PUK leader Talabani.

The meeting follows a special session of the KRG Council of Ministers on Sunday, convened to discuss the ongoing financial crisis. The KDP had warned on Saturday, giving Baghdad a “final chance” to resolve the dispute.

In addition to the Erbil-Baghdad tensions, Rudaw has learned that the meeting in Primam will further address the prolonged delay in forming the new KRG tenth cabinet.

The Region held delayed parliamentary elections in October, with the KDP winning 39 of the 100 seats, followed by the PUK with 23. As no single party secured a majority, a governing coalition will need to be formed, as has traditionally been the case.

In late June, Prime Minister Barzani said the KDP and PUK had agreed on a cabinet agenda and that other parties were welcome to join. However, nearly nine months after the vote, no final agreement on the new cabinet has been reached.