Masoud Barzani Oversees KDP Meeting, Launches Initiative to Break Kurdistan Government Formation Deadlock

Peregraf — The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) announced Saturday that it will dispatch a high-level delegation to engage with political parties across the Kurdistan Region in an effort to break the political deadlock that has prevented the formation of a new regional government for more than a year and a half.

The decision was announced following an expanded meeting of the KDP Central Committee chaired by party leader Masoud Barzani and attended by senior party officials, including members of the Central Committee and branch leaders. 

The initiative comes as negotiations over the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s tenth cabinet remain stalled despite parliamentary elections being held on Oct. 20, 2024. 

Although the newly elected Kurdistan Parliament convened for its inaugural session on Dec. 2, 2024, lawmakers have not met again since then, leaving the legislature effectively inactive. Persistent disagreements between the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over power-sharing arrangements, key leadership positions, and the composition of the next cabinet have prevented the establishment of a new government.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the KDP said a committee from the executive body of its Political Bureau has already begun contacting political parties and conducting visits aimed at advancing dialogue and finding solutions to the political impasse.

The party described the initiative as part of an effort to “rescue the political process in the Kurdistan Region from the stagnation it has fallen into.”

The move builds on an initiative launched by Barzani during Eid al-Adha, which the party said was intended to shift political disputes away from public confrontations and media exchanges and bring them back to the negotiating table.

The statement said the KDP hopes all political parties will engage constructively in the process given the region’s current political and economic challenges.

Regional Tensions and Economic Pressures

The meeting also addressed the broader regional environment, including the conflict between the United States and Iran that erupted earlier this year and its impact on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. 

The KDP said the conflict and its aftermath have imposed significant economic and security costs on the region despite the Kurdistan Region not being a direct participant in the war. 

According to the statement, continued missile and drone attacks have caused civilian casualties, damaged infrastructure, disrupted commercial activity, and increased public anxiety.

The party also pointed to attacks on energy facilities and oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region, saying they have contributed to the suspension of oil production and inflicted losses on both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The KDP reiterated its position that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding rather than confrontation.

Relations With Baghdad 

On relations with Iraq’s federal government, the KDP reaffirmed its support for resolving disputes within the framework of Iraq’s constitution. 

The party said it has consistently pursued negotiations with Baghdad on issues including budget allocations, financial entitlements, and salary payments for public employees in the Kurdistan Region. 

The statement also expressed support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s federal government and voiced hope that agreements reached with the Coordination Framework would lead to the implementation of constitutional provisions and the regular transfer of the Kurdistan Region’s financial entitlements. 

The KDP further endorsed al-Zaidi’s anti-corruption efforts and measures aimed at recovering public funds and protecting state resources. 

Support for Erbil-Baghdad Negotiations 

The Central Committee also expressed support for the efforts of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to improve relations with Baghdad and resolve disputes over budget transfers, revenues, and salaries. 

The party said these efforts should continue, particularly given the difficult economic conditions facing the region.

The meeting concluded with discussions on internal party affairs and organizational reforms. According to the statement, recommendations developed by a special committee reviewing party structures and regulations will serve as a roadmap for future organizational changes.

The KDP said the meeting was held in a spirit of cooperation and focused on addressing the challenges facing the people of Kurdistan, revitalizing the political process, and strengthening relations with both Baghdad and Iraq’s broader political landscape.