ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) politburo member Hemn Hawrami on Saturday said parties unwilling to join the Kurdistan Region’s next government should either try to form one without the two ruling parties or pave way for early elections.

Speaking at an event, Hawrami said that shortly after the Region held its parliamentary elections in October 2024, the KDP visited “all parties” in the Region and asked them to take part in the government formation “on the basis of their election results.”

The politician asserted that some of the parties rejected the proposal “entirely,” amid a crippling political deadlock that has halted government formation for two years

“If those parties can form a government without the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), let them form it; otherwise, let early elections be held,” he argued.

“The PUK and the KDP, as two parties, could very easily run the Kurdistan Region for a transitional period of 10 years, but we want the largest possible number of parties to take part in the process,” Hawrami added.

The KDP - the Kurdistan Region’s top party - has previously suggested snap elections as the optimal solution to resolve the stalemate in forming the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The Kurdistan Region held its parliamentary elections in October 2024, with the KDP emerging victorious with 39 seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 23.

The two main parties have yet to reach an agreement on forming the next cabinet. A key sticking point has been top positions and sovereign ministries in the Kurdistan Region, particularly the interior ministry - a post the PUK is vying for.

On the second anniversary of the elections, the KDP on Tuesday called for the “immediate reactivation” of the parliament, reiterating that the party has always expressed willingness to hold sessions and supported all efforts toward that end.

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.”