KDP official warns political deadlock could trigger election re-run

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official on Sunday said re-running parliamentary elections is among the options being considered if the ongoing political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region persists, warning that delays in government formation cannot continue indefinitely.

Hoshyar Siwaily, head of the KDP’s foreign relations office, cautioned that recent political alignments in the Kurdistan Region have further complicated the process of government formation. “The rapprochement between the PUK [Patriotic Union of Kurdistan] and the New Generation Movement [NGM] makes the process of government formation more complex, and re-running the election is one of the options,” he told Rudaw’s Sangar Abdulrahman on Sunday.

Kurdistan parliamentary elections were held in October 2024. However, the new government has yet to be formed due to the political disagreements - particularly between the KDP and PUK ruling parties - over power sharing in the next cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Siwaily stressed that prolonged paralysis is not sustainable. “We cannot wait for years; if the situation remains as it is, holding new elections is one of the options available to the political parties,” he added.

He also said international actors are urging swift action. “Our international friends tell us frankly that the government must be formed as soon as possible," he said, adding that "however, unfortunately, instead of coming forward seriously, the PUK is busy forming an alliance with the New Generation Movement. This complicates and delays the process rather than facilitating it.”

Rejecting the idea that rival parties could form a government without the KDP, Siwaily stated that it is "impossible to form a government without the KDP. Even the combined seats of the PUK and New Generation (38 seats) are not enough to form a government or even to serve as an effective opposition - because being an opposition is meaningless until a government is actually formed.”

He added that the KDP had made “serious efforts” to form a cabinet and said a pre-election agreement on a “governance vision” with the PUK was not honored by the party.

On Thursday, PUK leader Bafel Talabani accepted a proposal by the NGM leader Shaswar Abdulwahid to form an alliance aimed at establishing the KRG's tenth cabinet without the KDP.

Speaking at a press conference in Sulaimani, Abdulwahid said, “We have a project to present to all parties, except the KDP… we are here with our 15 seats. Any party willing can move forward to form a front and alliance to elect a prime minister,” adding that the initiative seeks to “adjust the balance of power in Kurdistan.”

Before the press conference ended, Talabani responded in a video message, saying, “Mr. Shaswar, I listened to your press conference… The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan wants this.” He proposed in-person talks, adding, “If you are serious, we are also serious. If you are ready, we are ready.” Abdulwahid replied during the press conference: “If you are serious, come - you are welcome.”

The Region’s October 2024 elections resulted in the KDP winning 39 seats and the PUK 23 in the 100-seat legislature, with no party securing a majority, leaving government formation stalled amid disputes over governance mechanisms and key posts, including the Interior Ministry.