Peregraf
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have reached a landmark agreement on forming the next cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), according to Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. Both parties have pledged to establish a strong, efficient, and unified government to address the region’s pressing challenges.
Talabani emphasized this progress during recent meetings with the Italian and Australian ambassadors to Iraq, noting that the government formation process has gained significant momentum. “Given the positive developments, we are optimistic that the next government will be formed soon,” he stated.
The breakthrough follows intensified negotiations between senior KDP and PUK delegations, which resulted in a final draft of a shared governance framework. This agreement will serve as the foundation for the upcoming KRG cabinet and key governmental institutions, with a focus on improving public services and addressing the needs of the Kurdish population.
This progress builds on a pivotal meeting held on March 16, 2025, between KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and PUK leader Bafel Talabani in Pirmam. During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to forming a stable and cooperative government. Months of negotiations have centered on resolving long-standing political differences and ensuring a functional governance structure capable of addressing the region’s challenges.
A joint committee has been tasked with finalizing the governance framework, which will soon be submitted to the High Negotiating Committee for approval. This step is expected to pave the way for the official formation of the cabinet.
In the latest parliamentary elections, the KDP emerged as the dominant party with 39 seats, while the PUK secured 23 seats. Minority groups and smaller parties control 38 seats, making coalition-building essential to achieving the 51-seat majority required to form a government. The KDP maintains strong influence in Erbil and Duhok, while the PUK continues to dominate politically in Sulaymaniyah and Halabja. Historically, cooperation between these two major parties has been critical to maintaining political stability in the Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Region has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including economic crises, disputes with the federal government in Baghdad, and internal political divisions. The formation of a unified government is seen as a crucial step toward addressing these issues and ensuring the region’s stability and prosperity.
As negotiations near completion, the finalized agreement between the KDP and PUK is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the next government’s structure and administrative priorities.