Salahaddin Bahadin Launches Initiative to End Kurdistan Political Deadlock; PUK Halts Media Attacks on KDP

Peregraf — Salahaddin Muhammad Bahadin, Secretary-General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), has presented a new political initiative aimed at ending the prolonged political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region and improving relations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The initiative was presented during a meeting in Dabashan — a heavily secured PUK compound on the outskirts of Sulaymaniyah that serves as the party's operational headquarters and the Talabani family's private base — with Bafel Talabani, President of the PUK, who said he welcomed the proposal and announced an immediate halt to PUK media campaigns against the KDP as a first step toward easing tensions. 

Initiative Aims to Reactivate Parliament 

According to statements released by both sides, the initiative seeks to end the Kurdistan Region's ongoing political paralysis, reactivate the Kurdistan Parliament, and move toward forming the 10th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The meeting was also attended by Salar Lala Sarhad.

Both sides said that the continued political deadlock no longer serves the public interest and warned that prolonged paralysis is harming the Kurdistan Region politically and institutionally.

Bahadin described the situation as a "stagnant crisis" requiring cooperation and a "responsible national vision."

PUK Orders Media Calm

Talabani said the PUK supports any initiative "that stems from sincerity and serves the benefit and interest of the people of Kurdistan."

As an initial response to the KIU proposal, Talabani announced that PUK media outlets would "refrain from escalating disputes" and stop media attacks that damage political harmony.

The move marks a rare de-escalatory step amid months of public tensions between the KDP and PUK.

18-Month Political Paralysis

The initiative comes amid mounting pressure on Kurdish political parties to end the institutional deadlock in the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Parliament has remained largely inactive since its inaugural session on December 2, 2024, following parliamentary elections held on October 20, 2024. The session failed to elect a parliamentary speaker, deputy speaker, or secretary, and has remained technically open since.

Disputes between the KDP and PUK over power-sharing arrangements, senior positions, and the parliamentary presidium have prevented the formation of a new government. 

Growing Calls to Resolve Crisis

The latest initiative follows recent calls by KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to reactivate parliament and form a new KRG cabinet. 

It also comes days after nearly 200 Kurdish academics, civil society figures, writers, and religious leaders signed a memorandum warning that continued political paralysis threatens the legitimacy and effectiveness of Kurdistan Region institutions.

The memorandum urged Kurdish parties to take immediate steps toward political consensus and restoring parliamentary activity.