SULAIMANI,—Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Jalal Talabani has announced the party’s immediate withdrawal from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), rejecting recent parliamentary developments in Erbil and accusing political rivals of obstructing efforts to form an effective administration.
Talabani made the announcement in a recorded video statement after a meeting of the party’s Leadership Council, which granted him full authority to take further political action.
He said the PUK had repeatedly attempted to reach a political agreement, including through more than 15 visits to Erbil and numerous meetings with regional political figures.
Despite those efforts, he said, the other side repeatedly introduced obstacles that prevented negotiations from producing an agreement.
Talabani strongly criticized the latest parliamentary proceedings, describing them as a meeting involving a minority within the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). He said the process failed to respect democratic principles and the will of voters.
He further accused political opponents of using public money to bribe or threaten members of parliament, adding that the PUK would not use similar methods to secure political support.
The PUK president declared that his party would not recognize the parliamentary move, its results, or any government positions established through the process.
He also described the KRG as a failed administration, arguing that more than two years of caretaker government had brought no meaningful improvements for the population.
His criticism included inadequate public services, delayed and unequal salary payments, and domestic fuel and commodity prices that remain high compared with federal standards.
Talabani said the party would now concentrate on citizens’ demands and its political commitments beyond the regional administration.
These include developments in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava Kurdistan), the peace process in Turkish Kurdistan (Northern Kurdistan), the rights of Iranian Kurdistan (Eastern Kurdistan), and continued coordination with political actors in Baghdad.
The PUK also directed a warning to the KDP, calling for an immediate end to military deployments and intimidation.
Talabani said his party did not want internal conflict but would take corresponding action if unilateral political appointments continued.
He warned that any appointment of a regional president, prime minister, or minister by the opposing side would prompt the PUK to make equivalent appointments of its own.
He also maintained that the party was prepared to establish separate regional governing institutions if necessary.
Talabani ended his address with a direct warning to his political opponents, saying they had initiated the confrontation and that he would bring it to an end.
(With files from PUKmedia | Channel8.com)
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