PUK Insists on 50-50 Power Sharing With KDP, Says It Will Not Back Down From Demands

Peregraf — The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) reaffirmed its demand for equal power sharing with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the next Kurdistan Regional Government, insisting that the formation of the long-delayed cabinet must be based on what it described as a “true partnership.” 

The position was announced following a meeting of the PUK leadership council in Sulaymaniyah on Sunday chaired by party president Bafel Talabani. 

Speaking after the meeting, PUK spokesperson Karwan Gaznayee said the party remains committed to a 50-50 power-sharing formula and will not compromise on its demands during negotiations to form the Kurdistan Region’s 10th cabinet.

“We insist on a 50-50 power-sharing formula and a true partnership in forming the government,” Gaznayee said. “We will not compromise on any of our demands.”

He also blamed the KDP for the continued political stalemate that has prevented the formation of a new government nearly two years after parliamentary elections were held.

“The responsibility for delaying the new cabinet lies with the KDP,” he said. “We insist on correcting the course of governance in Kurdistan. The policy of self-imposition damages the Kurdistan Region.”

PUK-New Generation Agreement

Gaznayee also announced that the PUK plans to formally sign a political agreement with the New Generation Movement at the beginning of next month.

The anticipated agreement follows months of coordination between the two parties after New Generation leader Shaswar Abdulwahid was released on bail in January 2026 following approximately five months in detention. 

Since then, both parties have held discussions aimed at coordinating their positions on government formation and broader political issues.

The PUK currently holds 23 seats in the Kurdistan Parliament, while New Generation controls 15 seats, making them the second- and third-largest blocs in the legislature.

In the October 2024 parliamentary elections, the KDP won 39 seats, followed by the PUK with 23 seats, New Generation with 15, and the Kurdistan Islamic Union with seven.

Government Formation Remains Frozen

The latest comments highlight the continuing deadlock over the formation of the Kurdistan Region’s next government. 

Formal negotiations between the KDP and PUK have effectively been suspended for nearly six months after approximately 20 rounds of talks failed to produce an agreement on power sharing, cabinet positions, and parliamentary leadership posts.

On June 13, the KDP announced that a senior party committee had begun outreach efforts to Kurdish political parties as part of an initiative launched by party leader Masoud Barzani to break the political impasse.

However, the latest statement from the PUK suggests major differences remain unresolved.

Parliament Still Inactive

The Kurdistan Region has remained without a functioning parliament and fully formed government since elections were held on Oct. 20, 2024.

Although lawmakers convened for the parliament’s inaugural session on Dec. 2, 2024, the legislature has not met again, leaving parliament effectively inactive. 

The political dispute has delayed the election of parliamentary leadership, the formation of a new cabinet, and the approval of key legislation and budget measures. 

The prolonged stalemate has drawn increasing criticism from political observers and international partners, who have urged Kurdish parties to resolve their differences and restore the functioning of the region’s institutions.