PUK, New Generation to formalize alliance that could secure PUK power

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and opposition New Generation Movement leaders met on Tuesday to cement an alliance aimed at curbing the power of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in both Erbil and Baghdad.

PUK President Bafel Talabani met with New Generation Movement Shaswar Abdulwahid as part of ongoing efforts to form an alliance that could decide the Kurdistan Region’s cabinet and to choose Iraq’s president. Since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, the post has largely been held by the PUK, a KDP rival that has seen declining power in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Abdulwahid said his party will back PUK’s presidential candidate, which could secure the post for the PUK against the rival KDP. The discussions focused on formalizing the political alliance to create a government and institutional reforms, he said at a press conference after the meeting.

Abdulwahid described the talks as “positive” with a “comprehensive” agreement for an alliance covering both the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.

The KRG has not formed a government since October 2024 when no party won an outright majority in the parliamentary election, stalling cabinet negotiations. The KDP holds 39 of the parliament’s 100 seats, the PUK secured 23, while the New Generation gained 15 seats.

“If both sides form a strong bloc, we will then speak with the weight of 38 to 40 seats and restore the balance of power to the Region."

"We can then form a government that improves the lives of the people," he added.

Abdulwahid said senior party officials expect to formalize an agreement this week.

“We want to reorganize the ‘Kurdish house’ and restore prestige to government institutions,” he said.

“Our primary goal in reaching an agreement with the PUK is to serve the people,” he said.

Proposed reforms, “if implemented, will be in the interest of the people of Kurdistan,” Abdulwahid added.

Talabani and Abdulwahid agreed to form an alliance to “adjust the balance of power in Kurdistan,” Talabani has said.

The alliance was proposed by Abdulwahid and announced on January 15, a day after he was released on bail after spending nearly six months in jail on incitement and defamation charges. He was charged in Sulaimani, a stronghold of both his party and the PUK. New Generation leaders and rights groups have called the case politically motivated.

Abdulwahid said last month that his proposal was open to “all parties, except the KDP. If they want genuine change in the Kurdistan Region - activating parliament, passing a budget law, returning domestic and border revenues to the budget law, and ensuring transparency in funds from Baghdad - we are here with our 15 seats.”

Talabani publicly responded by saying the Kurdistan region faced “ a challenge in adjusting the balance of power, restoring parliament, returning the budget to parliamentary oversight, and ensuring transparency. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan wants this.”