At a Glance

• A KDP spokesman said long-standing hurdles have been discussed recently regarding the KRG cabinet, with expectations they will be resolved in the coming days.
• He dismissed rumors of any neighboring country mediating between the KDP and PUK.

Mahmoud Mohammed, spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), stated that efforts have been “intensified” to form the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government as soon as possible, dismissing rumors that a neighboring country mediated between his party and the PUK to reach an agreement.

---

Key Statements and Focus Areas

• A KDP spokesman said an agreement was reached between the KDP and PUK “on certain matters a very long time ago.”
• “Efforts have been intensified to form the new cabinet as soon as possible,” he stressed.
• The long-standing KRG government stalemate is nearing an end as key parties expect a final agreement in the coming days.

Speaking to reporters, including Channel8, on Wednesday, KDP spokesman Mohammed noted that while some obstacles to forming the new cabinet remain, they have been discussed in recent days.

He confirmed that the talks are “ongoing,” adding that, “We envision that the existing obstacles will be cleared in the coming days.”

Mohammed emphasized that the current situation must be taken into consideration, highlighting the immediate need for steps to foster unity within the Kurdistan Region.

This unity, he added, should “lead to the reactivation of legitimate institutions.”

“The relationship between both parties has been continuous and was never severed, and this has enabled us to reach an understanding to form the government,” he underlined.

On the claims of Ali Hama Saleh, leader of the National Stance Movement (Halwest), who stated that another country has brought the two parties together, Mohammed said that he is “not aware” of any country having mediated between the KDP and the PUK.

FYI

The political deadlock between the KDP and PUK stems from a power struggle over the allocation of key ministries and parliamentary leadership following the October 2024 elections.

While the KDP seeks to govern as the majority party, the PUK demands a "true partnership" on equal footing, resulting in a prolonged stalemate that has left the Kurdistan Regional Government paralyzed under a caretaker administration.

Yesterday, Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the caretaker KRG, who is also a member of the PUK Political Bureau, revealed that, “Fortunately, efforts have been intensified, and we express our hope that the political parties will reach a final agreement in the near future to form a service-oriented government based on genuine partnership.”

Concurrently, National Stance Movement leader remarked that the positions of Prime Minister and Kurdistan Region Presidency will go to the KDP, and no other party will be allowed to participate, indirectly referring to the New Generation Movement (NGM).

The PUK and NGM combined their 38 seats to form a unified negotiating bloc designed to challenge the KDP's demand for top-tier leadership positions in the next government; however, the KDP refused to recognize the coalition.

Meanwhile, Himdad Shahin, spokesperson for the New Generation Movement, announced that, “As the New Generation Movement, we will under no circumstances participate in the new Kurdistan Regional Government and will remain in the opposition."

Dive Deeper: Handpicked Stories for You

Follow Channel8 for continuous updates:

Over One Million Kurdistan Employees Receive August Salaries Digitally

Caretaker KRG Cabinet to Review Baghdad Talks and Census Impact

KRG Official Calls Federal Court Ruling Key to 2027 Salaries