Peregraf
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has reaffirmed its position that the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should be led by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. The party’s delegation is set to begin formal negotiations to form the tenth cabinet, starting today in Sulaymaniyah.
Dilshad Shahab, a member of the KDP negotiating team, emphasized the party’s commitment to an inclusive process. "The KDP is holding an open dialogue and has no preconditions," he stated. However, Shahab reiterated that the party remains steadfast in its demand for Masrour Barzani to lead the new government.
The KDP, which secured 39 seats in the recent Kurdistan parliamentary elections, aims to form a majority coalition. "The number of seats in parliament is the main criterion for participation in the government," Shahab explained, highlighting the KDP’s significant mandate.
The quantity of seats within the Kurdistan Parliament is not the sole factor in the establishment of a government in the Kurdistan Region.
This is due to the fact that both dominant parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the KDP, maintain illegitimate armed forces that operate independently of governmental oversight. Their legitimacy is partially derived from the existence of these affiliated armed forces, in addition to their parliamentary representation. Consequently, the existence of these armed groups has an impact on the distribution of seats within the parliament.
Talks Begin Amidst Challenges
The KDP delegation plans to engage with all political factions without exception, Shahab said. However, logistical hurdles have already emerged, with Shahab noting that the delegation might not meet with the PUK Political Bureau today due to the absence of their negotiating team.
Despite past rivalries, Shahab expressed optimism about forming a strong and functional government. "Our goal is to form a strong government," he told reporters, adding that the KDP’s outreach would be comprehensive and inclusive.
Timelines and Legal Framework
Hemn Hawrami, a senior KDP official and member of its Political Bureau, outlined the timeline for the government formation process. According to him, the first session of parliament will convene on December 2. Following this, the Kurdistan Regional President is expected to formally appoint Masrour Barzani to form the government within 30 days.
If legal procedures proceed without delay, Hawrami predicted that the tenth cabinet would be finalized by the end of January 2025. He expressed hope that the lengthy delays that plagued previous government formations would not recur.
Parliamentary Seat Distribution
The Kurdistan parliament is comprised of 100 seats, with 51 required to form a majority government. The seat distribution following the election is as follows:
• KDP: 39
• PUK: 23
• New Generation Movement (NGM): 15
• Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU): 7
• National Stance (Halwest): 4
• Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal): 3
• People’s Front (Baray Gal): 2
• Gorran: 1
• Kurdistan Region Alliance: 1
• Christian Community: 3
• Turkmen Community: 2
Path Ahead
The KDP’s push to form the Kurdistan Regional Government led by Masrour Barzani reflects its electoral dominance but underscores the challenges of coalition-building in a fragmented political landscape. With the PUK and other factions holding significant seats, negotiations will require careful maneuvering to ensure a stable and effective administration.
As talks unfold, all eyes will be on the KDP and its ability to navigate the complexities of Kurdish politics to deliver the region’s next government.