Peregraf - Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani has intensified political engagements in Baghdad, holding talks with Iraqi political forces amid continued disunity among the main Kurdish parties over negotiations on the formation of Iraq’s next federal government.
While Talabani conducts discussions independently, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has also formed its own negotiation committee and is expected to travel to Baghdad soon. The parallel tracks underscore the absence of a unified Kurdish position, with the KDP and PUK negotiating separately with Iraqi factions.
This comes as Shiite and Sunni blocs have largely organized themselves into unified alliances to negotiate government formation. These blocs have repeatedly called on the Kurdish parties—particularly the KDP and PUK—to reach an internal agreement on the post of President of the Iraqi Republic, allocated to the Kurds. However, ongoing disputes between the two ruling Kurdish parties have so far prevented consensus.
The political deadlock has also delayed the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s new cabinet. More than a year and two months after the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, the Kurdistan Parliament remains inactive, further deepening the governance vacuum in the Region.
Meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani
During his visit to Baghdad on Sunday, Talabani met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The meeting addressed the broader political process as well as the issue of delayed salaries in the Kurdistan Region, with public employees still awaiting their October payments.
According to a statement from Talabani’s office, the talks focused on:
• Unifying efforts to form a strong federal government centered on public service.
• Reinforcing the foundations of state governance.
• Salary protections, with Talabani urging the prime minister to expedite salary disbursements and safeguard the rights of KRG employees.
In response, al-Sudani reaffirmed his government’s commitment to existing agreements and stressed that the rights of Kurdistan Region employees would be protected.
Talks with the Babylon Movement
Talabani also met with Rayan al-Kildani, Secretary-General of the Babylon Movement. Discussions centered on the formation of the new Iraqi government and the need to create a constructive political environment that enables parties to reach a national, service-oriented administration.
The PUK leader’s office said Talabani emphasized his party’s strategy of supporting a strong and effective government that serves all citizens without discrimination and contributes to long-term stability across Iraq.