Peregraf- Senior PUK leader and KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani declared on Sunday his readiness to meet with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to advance the long-delayed formation of the Kurdistan Region’s tenth government cabinet. Talabani stressed that any functioning government must include the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), saying: "A successful government cannot be formed without the PUK. This is the reality, and statements about forming a government without the PUK are merely threats and bluster."
Speaking at a press conference in Sulaymaniyah, Talabani said he sees no justification for Iraq’s parliamentary election results to affect the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
New Generation’s Role Still Unclear
Amid growing speculation about potential participation by the New Generation Movement in forming the cabinet, Talabani said there have been no discussions so far about establishing a broad-based government with the KDP. He noted that New Generation’s involvement "is a decision that must be made by them and the main parties forming the government, if they deem it appropriate."
The future of the New Generation Movement (Naway Nwe) has become increasingly central to the political equation, particularly as its president, Shaswar Abdulwahid, remains imprisoned in Sulaymaniyah. The movement insists that his arrest is politically motivated-an accusation rejected by judicial authorities.
On Friday, November 21, New Generation’s executive body met with its parliamentary faction. A statement from the meeting, shared with Peregraf, said: "The New Generation faction in the Kurdistan Parliament has decided that whatever decision the movement and the movement’s president make from prison, everyone will abide by it."
Information obtained by Peregraf indicates that New Generation has held internal discussions on the possibility of joining the tenth KRG cabinet, though no final decision has been made. The wording of the latest statement appears to reflect ongoing internal debate.
New Generation’s leverage has weakened following a sharp decline in votes-from 292,032 in 2024 to 123,376 in 2025, a drop of 57.8%.
A Government Deadlock Entering Its Second Year
More than a year after the October 20, 2024 parliamentary elections, the KDP and PUK have still not agreed on the distribution of key posts-paralyzing the formation of the cabinet. New Generation previously demanded either the premiership or all ministerial portfolios as conditions for joining the government. If the movement softens its position and aligns with the KDP, it could break the political deadlock, enabling the KDP to form a government without the PUK.
A cabinet needs a simple majority of 51 seats out of 100. The KDP holds 39 seats and controls three minority seats, while New Generation holds 15-giving them a combined total of 57 seats if they join forces.
Despite parliament convening for its first session in December 2024, it has been unable to reconvene because electing a parliamentary presidium requires an agreement between the KDP and PUK.
Election Results and Political Landscape
In the October 2024 elections, the KDP emerged as the largest party with 39 seats, followed by the PUK with 23. New Generation secured 15 seats, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) won 7, and the remaining seats went to smaller parties and minority representatives. Of the five minority quota seats, three are aligned with the KDP and two with the PUK.
Seven opposition parties-excluding New Generation-reject the election results, claiming they were fraudulent. The Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal) has announced a boycott of the entire parliamentary term. The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) has rejected accusations of fraud.
This widespread rejection has made forming a government more challenging, as several parties face political pressure and public skepticism that discourage them from joining the cabinet.
Coalition Government Still the Most Likely Outcome
Despite tensions between the KDP and PUK, the most realistic path to forming the tenth cabinet remains a coalition between the two dominant parties, which together hold 67 seats when minority allies are included. The KDP controls 42 seats with its minority allies, while the PUK controls 25.
In practice, neither party can form a government alone. Most other parties have rejected the election results or declared themselves in opposition-except New Generation, whose final position could dramatically alter the political balance if it chooses to align with the KDP.
For now, the future of the tenth KRG cabinet remains uncertain, hinging on whether the KDP and PUK can overcome their differences-and whether New Generation will seek to break the political stalemate or use its position to reshape the next government.