KRG premier, PUK leader hail ‘very good' progress in government formation talks
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister and senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) figure, Masrour Barzani, met with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani at Erbil's Pirmam subdistrict on Sunday to discuss the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) upcoming cabinet.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the two leaders described the talks as 'very good,' noting positive developments in the push.
Referring to Sunday's meeting and a previous meeting he held with Talabani back in January, Barzani stated, 'We have held two very positive and good meetings to forge close ties and discuss topics that are important for the people of Kurdistan and the people of the region as a whole.'
'There have been excellent developments and understanding regarding many of these issues and we hope that the [KDP and PUK negotiation] teams can reach a final agreement with the same spirit to form the government in the nearest future,' Barzani added.
In a similar tone, Talabani said, 'As far as I understand, the meeting was very very good. We reached an agreement on several strategic things that are to the benefit of our people. I believe that our discussions will continue. I think the objective of both sides is to form a government that will serve our people as soon as possible.'
Earlier in the day, PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira told Rudaw that the meeting was 'among the last' with most government formation topics having been 'settled.'
The Kurdistan Region held its delayed parliamentary elections in October with no single party securing a majority. The latter means that a governing coalition will have to be formed, as has historically been the case, but the political parties have yet to reach a final agreement.
The KDP came out on top, securing 39 spots in the 100-member legislature. The PUK came in second with 23 seats. Several opposition parties have claimed electoral fraud.
The KDP and PUK, while rivals, have shared power in government since the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in the 1990s.
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