KDP, PUK meet in Sulaimani to discuss government formation
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Senior officials from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) held a meeting in Sulaimani on Thursday to discuss the formation of the upcoming Kurdish cabinet.
The KDP delegation was led by senior KDP official Hoshyar Zebari while the PUK team was chaired by Qubad Talabani, who is also the incumbent deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Neither side revealed the content of the top meeting.
The Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections took place on October 20, but political parties have yet to finalize an agreement on forming a new cabinet. The ruling KDP and PUK have held multiple meetings, with officials from both sides expressing optimism about reaching a final deal before Iraq’s general elections, scheduled for November 11.
The KDP came out on top in the last elections, securing 39 spots in the 100-member legislature. The PUK came in second with 23 seats. Since no single party won a majority, a governing coalition will need to be formed, as has traditionally been the case.
The KDP delegation was led by senior KDP official Hoshyar Zebari while the PUK team was chaired by Qubad Talabani, who is also the incumbent deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Neither side revealed the content of the top meeting.
The Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections took place on October 20, but political parties have yet to finalize an agreement on forming a new cabinet. The ruling KDP and PUK have held multiple meetings, with officials from both sides expressing optimism about reaching a final deal before Iraq’s general elections, scheduled for November 11.
The KDP came out on top in the last elections, securing 39 spots in the 100-member legislature. The PUK came in second with 23 seats. Since no single party won a majority, a governing coalition will need to be formed, as has traditionally been the case.