ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc in the Kurdistan Region’s parliament on Tuesday called for the “immediate reactivation” of the legislature, on the second anniversary of the elections.

The Kurdistan Region held parliamentary elections in October 20, 2024, and the elected lawmakers were sworn in during a session in December of that year. However, efforts to hold subsequent sessions have failed due to not meeting legal quorum.

In a statement, the KDP bloc lamented the inactivity of the parliament, saying the legislature has been unable to fulfill its legal responsibilities regarding the governance of the Kurdistan Region, reiterating that the party has always expressed willingness to hold sessions and supported all efforts toward that end.

The KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) emerged as the two largest parties in the elections, winning 39 and 23 seats respectively. However, negotiations over forming the next cabinet have repeatedly stalled, with the two parties blaming each other for the impasse.

The KDP urged “all the esteemed blocs of the Kurdistan parliament to join together as soon as possible in fulfilling our historical and legal duty, and to take steps toward completing the procedures and tasks of the parliament's first session and electing its speakership board.”

The two election victors are expected to hold “a serious meeting” early next month for talks over government formation and parliament activation, Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) spokesperson Salahaddin Babakr told The New Region earlier in October. “We are aware that a better understanding has now emerged between the KDP and the PUK.”

The KDP and PUK have held several meetings since the elections with the aim of reaching an agreement to form the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) next cabinet. One of the main sticking points remains the distribution of senior government posts and sovereign ministries, particularly the interior ministry, which the PUK is seeking.

“We hope that this unfavorable situation will pass and that we all respect the rights and will of the Kurdish people by reactivating the parliament with a common vision and to promote the interests of the Kurdistan Region,” the statement added.

The KDP and its leadership have repeatedly called for the legislative body’s reactivation. During the 34th anniversary of the Kurdistan Region’s first parliamentary elections In May, the party said it welcomes any effort from the Region’s political forces towards the reactivation of the parliament.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who is also the deputy KDP president, in May expressed hope that the formation of the Iraqi government can pave the way for the reactivation of the Kurdistan parliament.

Barzani renewed his call earlier October. “I urge the parliament members not to waste any more time, because even for government formation we need the parliament,” he said while addressing reporters in Erbil.