ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A delegation from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) visited the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) Organization Bureau in Erbil on Sunday, in the latest sign of renewed dialogue between the two ruling parties as efforts continue to overcome the political deadlock over the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) 10th cabinet.
The PUK delegation, led by Rebaz Berkoty, head of the party’s third branch in Erbil, was received by Pishtiwan Sadiq, head of the KDP’s Erbil Organization Bureau
Following the meeting, Sadiq said in a press conference that his party has "a deep and historical relationship with the PUK, and it will continue," adding that when "there have been issues and disputes at certain stages, they have been resolved through dialogue, and we can take future steps together.”
The meeting comes amid continued efforts to bring the KDP and PUK closer to a political agreement over the formation of the new government, nearly two years after the 2024 Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections in which the KDP won 39 seats, while the PUK secured 23 seats out of 100.
Neither party reached the 50+1 majority to form a government alone, and disagreements over power-sharing arrangements have delayed the formation of the new cabinet.
Sadiq also said that “Efforts are being made for a meeting at a higher level, but no date has yet been set.”
“Our visit is for the sake of harmony, brotherhood, and unity,” he said at the conference, describing the convenings as an effort to strengthen ties between the two parties.
“If the media cooperates with us, things will progress well during this period,” he added.
In a statement following the meeting, the PUK’s Erbil branch said the two sides discussed the current situation in the Kurdistan Region and stressed the importance of coordination and cooperation.
“The current situation in the region was discussed; coordination, brotherhood, and working together were emphasized,” the statement said.
Over the past few months, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) has been leading mediation efforts between the two parties, saying earlier this month that both the KDP and PUK had responded positively to an initiative aimed at arranging a high-level summit.
“The KDP and PUK have responded positively to our initiative. If the meeting takes place, those parties that hold blocs in the Kurdistan Parliament will also participate,” KIU spokesperson Salahuddin Babakir told Rudaw earlier this month.
The political dispute between the two parties has intensified over demands for senior government positions and the structure of power-sharing in the next cabinet.
The PUK has sought key positions, including the presidency of the Kurdistan Region, as well as major ministries.
Tensions also increased after the PUK reached an agreement in July with the New Generation Movement (NGM), an opposition party with 15 seats, forming a joint bloc.
The KDP has rejected negotiating with the two parties as a single bloc, saying it will only hold talks with them separately.
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