Peregraf
Delegations from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) convened today at the PUK headquarters in Sulaymaniyah to negotiate the formation of the Kurdistan Region’s tenth cabinet. This high-stakes meeting marks the first direct dialogue between the region's two dominant parties since the Kurdistan parliamentary elections.
The talks come after a series of bilateral visits over the past two days, during which both the KDP and PUK engaged with smaller parties in an attempt to garner support for government formation. As the first and second-place winners in the elections, the two parties wield substantial influence but must navigate a tense rivalry to maintain the region’s fragile political balance.
Election Results and the Power Dynamics
The KDP emerged as the largest party with 39 seats, while the PUK secured 23. Collectively, smaller parties and minority representatives hold 38 seats. A majority of 51 seats is required to form a government, placing the KDP in the position of needing coalition partners despite its lead.
The PUK and KDP continue to dominate the region's political and economic spheres, with each party controlling distinct territories—Erbil and Duhok under the KDP, and Sulaymaniyah and Halabja under the PUK. These deep-rooted divisions make their cooperation essential for any viable government.
The most likely outcome remains a KDP-PUK coalition, which has historically maintained stability in the Kurdistan Region.