Kurdistan
Logo of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (left) alongside the logo of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (right). Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) negotiating team is set to meet with members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Erbil on Monday, two sources from the rival parties confirmed to Rudaw. The talks are expected to focus on the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) next cabinet and the “distribution of ministerial portfolios” in the Region.
However, a separate PUK official denied that such a meeting would take place, stating that the party plans to hold an internal meeting instead.
“Tomorrow, meetings between the KDP and PUK negotiating teams are scheduled to resume, and the meeting is scheduled to be in Erbil,” Chia Mohammed Harki, deputy head of the KDP’s Organization Bureau in Erbil, told Rudaw.
Harki, who is also a member of the KDP’s Central Committee, added that the “main topic” on the agenda would be the formation of the KRG’s tenth cabinet and “the distribution of ministerial portfolios," noting that they might include the Iraqi legislative elections held in mid-November.
Notably, the senior KDP official stated that the meeting will not be a "top-level" one, elaborating that the KDP had taken the initiative for the meeting and that its negotiation team “has resumed engagement with Kurdistan's political parties” since last week.
Meanwhile, a source from the PUK’s politburo, speaking on condition of anonymity, corroborated Harki’s remarks, affirming that the meeting would take place. However, he dismissed claims that discussions would “be about government formation.”
Another PUK politburo member, who also spoke on condition that his name be withheld, denied to Rudaw that such a meeting would be held.
“Tomorrow, Monday, our politburo is set to meet in Sulaimani province,” he said, adding that “a meeting with the KDP is not expected; perhaps a message from the KDP leadership will be conveyed to us.”
He emphasized that “until now, no notification has been made in the negotiating committee group for a meeting with the KDP on Monday.”
The Kurdistan Region held its long-delayed parliamentary elections in October 2024, with the KDP winning 39 seats in the 100-member legislature and the PUK securing 23.
With no party securing a majority, the two sides have been engaged in government-formation talks for months. However, the formation of the next KRG cabinet has stalled, largely due to disputes over governance mechanisms and key positions.
Updated at 6:49 pm.
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