ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leaders are set to hold high-level talks on forming the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), with President Masoud Barzani believed to oversee an upcoming meeting aimed at breaking the political deadlock.
Rudaw has learned that on Sunday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani met as heads of delegations of the KDP and PUK, respectively, to discuss the formation of the tenth KRG cabinet.
Rudaw has also learned that the political bureaus of the KDP and PUK are set to convene on Monday and Tuesday, with President Barzani overseeing the meetings.
A source from the KDP’s Central Committee told Rudaw that the meeting between Masrour Barzani, a deputy leader of the KDP, and Talabani, a member of the PUK’s political bureau, “was positive and there is good rapprochement.”
Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections were held in October 2024, but political parties have yet to reach a final agreement to fully reactivate parliament and form a new cabinet.
On Wednesday, President Barzani, leader of the KDP, and PUK leader PUK Bafel Talabani, met in Erbil amid ongoing negotiations over government formation and the Kurdish nominee for Iraq’s presidency. PUK spokesperson Karwan Gaznayi on Sunday described that meeting as “very positive.”
In the coming days, President Barzani is also expected to receive PUK head Talabani in Pirmam for further in-depth discussions, according to information obtained by Rudaw.
Disagreements between the KDP and PUK over the structure and distribution of posts in the tenth cabinet have so far prevented its formation.
Talks are also underway over Iraq’s presidency, a position traditionally held by a Kurd from the PUK. Iraq held parliamentary elections in early November, and under the country’s informal power-sharing system, the speakership goes to Sunni Arabs, the premiership to Shiite parties, and the presidency to the Kurds.
Nineteen candidates are competing for the presidency, most notably outgoing Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, the KDP’s nominee, and Nizar Amedi, the PUK’s candidate.