Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the caretaker Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), stated that the caretaker government has become “a weak point” for the Kurdistan Region, while reiterating his support for Iraq's ongoing anti-corruption campaign.

Talabani met with 15 ambassadors from European nations in Iraq on Monday, during which he discussed the latest political situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iran, and the region.

‘Irreparable Damage’ to Kurdistan’s Standing Over Cabinet Delays

On the domestic situation in the Kurdistan Region, Talabani stressed that “a new political reality has emerged in both the region and Iraq as a whole.”

“Political parties must stop dealing with one another using old mindsets,” he noted, adding that any further delay in forming a new KRG cabinet, which has been delayed since the last parliamentary election in 2024 during a political impasse, will cause “irreparable damage” to the political existence and standing of Kurdistan.

Talabani emphasized that the government is “incapable of effectively responding to the major threats and opportunities of this new phase.”

The PUK continues to push for a power-sharing agreement based on a genuine partnership and an equitable distribution of administrative responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Political Bureau earlier urged participating factions to reactivate parliament, calling on lawmakers to take responsibility for conducting productive dialogues and finding appropriate solutions.

During today's meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Talabani also called on all Kurdish political factions to show responsibility in facing these challenges and to fast-track the formation of the next KRG cabinet through a new political consensus.

KRG Deputy PM Backs Federal Anti-Graft Crackdown 

Talabani also reiterated his “full support” for the anti-corruption crackdown and the recent arrests of dozens of wanted individuals involved in the cases.

He highlighted that “all political factions would fully back the government's efforts to curb corruption, calling these measures a necessary and critical step to establish the rule of law and stimulate economic growth.”

Kurdistan Refuses to Become Part of U.S.-Iran Regional Conflicts 

The Deputy Prime Minister and the ambassadors also discussed the regional situation, past conflicts, and recent diplomatic engagements between Washington and Tehran.

Talabani said the Kurdistan Region's policy and stance “have been clear since the beginning of this war.”

“Not only will we refuse to become a part of regional and international conflicts, but we will also use our weight and influence to work with our partners to defuse tensions and protect the security and stability of our region,” he added.