ERBIL,— Tribal leader and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) chief Massoud Barzani on Monday called on his party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to resolve their differences and end the political crisis in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.
His appeal came days after the PUK announced its withdrawal from the regional government in protest against what it described as the “illegal” reactivation of parliament without its participation.
In a statement released by his office, Barzani said the interests of the people of Kurdistan must take priority over all other political interests and objectives.
He called on the PUK to engage in dialogue with the KDP, specifically addressing its members as “brothers” and urging them to work together to overcome the crisis.
“The interest of the people of Kurdistan is greater than any other interest or objective,” Barzani said.
“On this basis, I call upon our brothers in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to sit down together with the Kurdistan Democratic Party, resolve the issues, and put an end to the political crisis in the Kurdistan Region.”
The dispute intensified after the Kurdistan Parliament resumed its work on last Wednesday, ending nearly two years of legislative paralysis.
The session was organized through a KDP-led initiative backed by minority representatives, smaller political groups and lawmakers who broke away from their parties.
Among those attending were three PUK lawmakers who participated despite their party’s opposition.
They have faced accusations of receiving large sums of money from the KDP, although the allegations were not established in the original report.
A total of 52 lawmakers attended the session, exceeding the 51-member quorum required in the 100-seat parliament.
During the meeting, lawmakers unanimously elected KDP politician Vala Farid as parliament speaker, Rami Noori as deputy speaker representing the Christian quota, and Muna Qahwachi as parliament secretary representing the Turkmen quota.
The decision triggered an immediate response from PUK leader Bafel Talabani.
On Thursday, he announced that his party would withdraw from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, describing the administration as a failed government.
“This government has failed. Therefore, the first decision of the PUK leadership following this thing [parliament reactivation] is that we will immediately withdraw from this failed government, which calls itself the government of Kurdistan,” Talabani said in a video message.
He also announced plans to redirect the party’s resources towards providing services to residents of areas under its control, particularly Sulaimani and Halabja provinces.
Talabani rejected the parliament’s resumption, calling it illegal and incompatible with the principles of genuine political partnership.
He accused the KDP of trying to impose its decisions without involving other political forces. The PUK has also declared that it will not recognize the legislature or attend its future sessions.
Talabani further warned that the political dispute could lead to a division of authority across the region.
He said the KDP and PUK could begin appointing separate presidents, prime ministers and ministers, raising the prospect of two competing administrations.
The confrontation has added another obstacle to negotiations over the Kurdistan Region’s tenth cabinet, more than two years after the October 2024 parliamentary elections.
The KDP won 39 seats and maintains that parliament should carry out its legislative duties independently of negotiations over the next government.
The PUK, which secured 23 seats, has insisted that the main government positions must be agreed upon before parliament resumes its work.
In his Monday statement, Barzani also called on other political parties to take part in the political process and support the formation of an inclusive regional government.
He said the next administration should respond to the demands and aspirations of Kurdistan’s population.
The KDP and PUK have traditionally shared power in the Kurdistan Region. However, disputes over senior positions, including the premiership and influential cabinet portfolios, have repeatedly delayed government formation.
Barzani’s latest appeal seeks to bring the two main parties back to negotiations and encourage wider political participation in forming the next regional administration.
(With files from Rudaw | Agencies)
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