ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is set to meet with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) “in the coming days” to discuss the formation of the Kurdistan Region’s next government, the KDP spokesperson said on Thursday, nearly 14 months after elections were held. 

The Kurdistan Region held its parliamentary elections in October 2024, with the KDP emerging victorious with 39 seats, followed by the PUK with 23. The two main parties have yet to reach an agreement on forming the next cabinet.

“Another meeting will take place in the coming days,” KDP spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammed told The New Region.

A key dispute between the two parties has been the sovereign ministries in the Kurdistan Region, with the PUK eyeing the KDP-controlled interior ministry in particular. “We prefer the interior ministry to remain with the KDP,” Mohammed said. 

In late November, the KDP formed a high-level committee under the directive of President Masoud Barzani to begin holding talks with political parties aimed at “unifying positions” following the federal parliamentary election’s results. 

Tensions between the Kurdistan Region’s two main parties have escalated in recent months.

“We have tried to unite the Kurds and go to Baghdad as one team, but it seems the matter still needs more discussion,” said Mohammed. 

The KDP has routinely blamed the PUK for hindering the formation of the next government, accusing the rival party of making unreasonable demands.

On November 19, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said KDP will negotiate the formation of the Kurdistan Region’s next government with the PUK under new terms after its victory in the Iraqi election.

Iraq held parliamentary elections on November 11. The results displayed a significant victory for the KDP, which secured 27 seats and became the first Iraqi and Kurdish political party in history to surpass one million votes.

The KDP has repeatedly stressed that its main objective in participating in the next Iraqi government and parliament is to ensure the implementation of constitutional articles that guarantee the rights of the Kurdistan Region and its people.