Bafel Talabani Raises Concerns Over Delayed KRG Formation in Meeting With Trump’s Envoy

Peregraf — Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), met with Tom Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Presidential Envoy to Syria and Iraq, in Baghdad on Monday, where discussions reportedly focused on regional stability, Iraq's political future, and the prolonged delay in forming a new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

According to a statement from the PUK, the meeting was also attended by Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region.

The talks came during Barrack's visit to Iraq, which according to the statement included meetings with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad before he traveled to Erbil for discussions with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

The two sides reviewed political and security developments in Iraq and the wider region and, according to the PUK statement, discussed what both parties described as the significance of recent diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran.

According to the statement, both sides viewed a recent agreement between Washington and Tehran as an important step toward preserving regional stability and reducing tensions.

The meeting also focused on Iraq's domestic political challenges, with participants, according to the statement, emphasizing the importance of supporting the new federal government as it seeks to address economic, political, and security challenges.

Talabani used the meeting to express concern over the continued failure of Kurdish political parties to form the KRG's tenth cabinet, more than a year and a half after parliamentary elections were held in October 2024.

"President Bafel expressed his concern regarding the failure to form the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government," the statement said, adding that he warned the legitimacy and credibility of the current administration were increasingly being questioned because of the prolonged political stalemate.

Government formation talks between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK have remained deadlocked over disagreements on power-sharing arrangements, key government positions, and the distribution of authority within the next cabinet.

Although the newly elected Kurdistan Parliament held its inaugural session in December 2024, it has not reconvened since, leaving both parliament and government formation efforts effectively frozen.

Energy policy was another topic addressed during the meeting.

According to the PUK statement, Talabani argued that the Kurdistan Region could play a significant role in addressing Iraq's broader energy challenges through a long-term strategic plan.

"The Kurdistan Region, through a strategic plan, could resolve the energy crisis throughout Iraq," he was quoted as saying.

The remarks come as Iraq continues to face chronic electricity shortages and seeks to diversify energy sources while reducing dependence on imported fuel and aging infrastructure.

Barrack's visit is part of a broader U.S. diplomatic effort to strengthen ties with Iraq's federal and regional authorities amid ongoing discussions on security cooperation, energy development, economic investment, and regional stability.