Renewed political activity has raised hopes for an agreement on forming the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) 10th cabinet, nearly two years after the Kurdistan Parliament’s sixth-term elections in October 2024.
Recent developments point to progress in talks between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over senior government positions and key ministries. Leaders from both parties and other political groups have expressed optimism about reaching an agreement and ending the prolonged political deadlock.
Hoshyar Siwayli, head of foreign relations for the KDP, said any initiative aimed at forming the government and resolving the political stalemate was welcome. He added that the KDP had previously put forward initiatives to advance the process and would continue its efforts.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also expressed optimism during the MERI Forum, saying further meetings with the PUK would take place in the near future.
The renewed activity comes as pressure grows for political parties to resolve their differences and establish a functioning government. Reaching an agreement would require the main parties to settle outstanding disagreements over the distribution of senior positions and the responsibilities of the next cabinet.
Meanwhile, the KDP parliamentary faction has called for the immediate resumption of Kurdistan Parliament sessions, urging political parties to move forward with parliamentary procedures regardless of disputes over government formation.
In a statement marking the second anniversary of the 2024 elections, the faction said it remained committed to democratic principles and the effective functioning of the Region’s institutions. It called on all parliamentary blocs to complete the procedures of the first session and elect the parliament’s leadership.
The faction said reactivating parliament was a legal and historical responsibility and an important step toward meeting public demands for the legislature to resume its work.
The sixth-term parliamentary elections were held under the supervision of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, with special voting on October 18 and general voting on October 20, 2024.
The election used a multi-constituency system covering four electoral districts, with 100 parliamentary seats contested by political parties and representatives of ethnic and religious components. The number of elected seats was reduced from 111 to 100. Biometric voter cards and electronic vote counting were also used in the election.
With renewed contacts between the KDP and PUK and calls to reactivate parliament, attention is now focused on whether the political parties can translate the latest signs of progress into a final agreement and form the Region’s next cabinet.
