Peregraf- Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), called on Kurdish political parties to meet after Eid to resolve the prolonged political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region and end what he described as an "unfavorable political situation."
In an Eid message, Barzani urged political forces to "meet after Eid with sincerity and a sense of patriotism to resolve the political deadlock."
He also called on parties to "abandon the fruitless rivalry and the internal infighting that the political process of the Region has been suffering from for some time."
Call for National Responsibility
Barzani described efforts to overcome the crisis as a "conscientious, national, and patriotic duty," stressing that all parties must act responsibly.
"My message to the political parties and forces of Kurdistan is for everyone to consider the interests of the people of Kurdistan and to place the supreme interests of our nation above narrow goals and interests," he stated.
In a separate Eid message, Bafel Talabani, president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), also called for stronger relations and cooperation among Kurdish political forces.
"I hope this holy occasion brings goodness and joy to our nation, serves to deepen the spirit of tolerance, and encourages us to strengthen relations so that we may all work together with a national stance to resolve problems and build a more stable future," Talabani said.
18 Months of Political Paralysis
The statements come as the Kurdistan Region continues to face a prolonged institutional deadlock more than 18 months after parliamentary elections held on October 20, 2024.
The new parliamentary term held its first session on December 2, 2024, during which lawmakers took their constitutional oaths, but parliament has not convened again since.
The paralysis has largely stemmed from disputes between the KDP and the PUK over power-sharing arrangements, parliamentary leadership positions, and the formation of the 10th cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Growing Criticism Over Inactive Parliament
The only major action completed by the current parliament has been the swearing-in of members of parliament (MPs), allowing lawmakers to receive salaries and benefits despite parliament remaining effectively inactive.
The situation has generated increasing public criticism, particularly as parliament has failed to elect its leadership presidium, approve a new cabinet, or pass a budget law.
Before the October 2024 elections, the Kurdistan Region had already spent nearly three years without a functioning parliament after Iraq's Federal Supreme Court dissolved the legislature in May 2023 for failing to hold elections on time.
The continuing deadlock has intensified concerns over political instability and institutional paralysis in the Kurdistan Region.