Peregraf — The National Stance Movement (Halwest), the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), and the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU/Yekgirtu) said their participation in meetings with Iraq's Coordination Framework (CF) in Baghdad was independent and not led by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
The meetings come as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi works to finalize Iraq's new cabinet, with Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi announcing on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, that parliament expected to receive al-Zaidi's government program that day or the following Thursday.
In a joint statement, the three factions said: "As three independent factions — Halwest, Yekgirtu, and Komal — we presented our own joint program separately and were received by the High Committee of the Coordination Framework."
Baghdad Meeting Sparks Questions
A delegation of Kurdish parties, excluding the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), visited Baghdad on Tuesday to discuss government formation with Coordination Framework leaders.
Photos from the meeting showed Darbaz Kosrat Rasul — head of the PUK's Relations Bureau — seated at the head of the Kurdish delegation beside Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, prompting speculation that the PUK was heading the delegation.
Ali Hama Saleh Rejects KDP-PUK Quota Politics
Ali Hama Saleh, leader of the National Stance Movement (Halwest), said the three factions were acting independently and would not seek positions through either the KDP or PUK.
"The basis of our work is the interest of the people of Kurdistan. We will not be part of any delegation, program, or project belonging to the PUK or KDP," he said.
He added that the three parliamentary factions collectively hold 10 seats and would only accept ministries allocated directly to them.
"Bowing down for the sake of positions is not our behavior or our promise," he stated.
Separate Negotiation Paper Submitted
Ali Hama Saleh also said concerns had existed regarding the structure of the delegation before the visit.
"The agreement was for all regional parties to meet with the Coordination Framework regarding the program and the rights of the people of Kurdistan, with no one serving as the head of the delegation," he said.
He said Halwest, Komal, and Yekgirtu submitted a separate negotiation paper distinct from the PUK's.
Government Formation Continues
The meetings come as Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi works to finalize Iraq's new cabinet. Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi announced on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during the Council of Representatives' 23rd session that parliament expected to receive al-Zaidi's government program that day or the following Thursday, for distribution to members for review. Under the Iraqi constitution, al-Zaidi has 30 days from his designation on April 27, 2026, to present a cabinet to parliament for a vote of confidence.