The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the New Generation Movement are set to sign the “Balance and Revitalization” alliance on Thursday, with both parties stating that the bloc will reshape the political landscape of the Kurdistan Region.

The signing is expected to be carried out at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Sulaymaniyah at 5:00 PM in the presence of the presidents of the parties, Bafel Jalal Talabani and Shaswar Abdulwahid.

The alliance combines the parties' 38 legislative seats and is recognized as the third major political agreement in the historical trajectory of the PUK.

Shaswar Abdulwahid, President of the New Generation Movement, told a press conference on Tuesday that the agreement was approved “unanimously” by the party and today will mark “a shift in the political balance of the Kurdistan Region.”

PUK-KDP Talks Remain Stalled Despite New Initiatives 

The political impasse between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK since the 2024 parliamentary election has centered on a severe power-sharing deadlock that has frozen the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) 10th cabinet.

The Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and the Kurdistan Justice Group have both recently launched diplomatic initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between the major political parties and reactivating parliament. 

However, despite these efforts, direct talks between the PUK and the KDP remain completely stalled.

Karwan Gazney, the spokesperson for the Patriotic Union, told a press conference last week that to establish a new government, the party believes in a “genuine partnership” and not “unilateralism.”

In the meantime, the KDP Political Bureau earlier urged all political factions to move negotiations from the media into the parliament chamber to resolve the ongoing cabinet formation impasse. The initiative called on all parties to resume legislative work and abide by parliamentary resolutions to address the political gridlock.

Groundwork Completed for New 38-Seat Parliamentary Alliance 

Following a January 15 appeal by Shaswar Abdulwahid for a non-KDP coalition, the PUK President signaled immediate cooperation, paving the way for a 38-seat unified front. High-level negotiations throughout February and March subsequently finalized the groundwork for the alliance.