Peregraf
The Kurdistan Regional Parliament officially entered its two-month summer recess today, despite not having convened for over seven months due to a prolonged deadlock between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over power-sharing.
Since its inaugural session on December 2, 2024, following the October 20 elections, the sixth term of the Kurdistan Parliament has failed to elect a parliamentary presidency—a critical step for forming parliamentary committees and moving forward with legislative work. The session remains technically open, and MPs have continued to receive salaries and entitlements despite the absence of any official duties or legislative output.
The delay stems from the inability of the KDP and PUK to agree on the distribution of senior government posts, stalling the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) tenth cabinet. Eight months on, the two dominant parties remain at odds, even after agreeing on the general agenda for governance.
At a June 25 press conference, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani acknowledged the impasse, stating, “We have reached an agreement on the government’s agenda… but there are different opinions on the distribution of posts.” He reiterated the KDP’s preference for a broad-based government, although he said the party is capable of forming a majority government independently.
The October elections gave the KDP 39 seats in the 100-member legislature, followed by the PUK with 23. Minority and smaller parties collectively hold 38 seats, making coalition-building vital for any government to be formed.
The ongoing political paralysis not only leaves the parliament dormant but also deepens public frustration as governance in the Kurdistan Region remains in limbo, with no clear timeline for resolution.