Latest news with #BafelTalabani
Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Golden Jubilee: PUK's 50-year legacy faces a test of relevance
Shafaq News/ The 50th anniversary of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), once a defining moment in the Kurdish national movement, arrived this week not with a triumphant celebration, but with quiet introspection and visible fractures. The golden jubilee, marked in al-Sulaymaniyah under the leadership of Bafel Talabani, son of the party's iconic founder Jalal Talabani, underscored both generational transition and growing uncertainty. Rather than a grand spectacle evoking past struggles and victories, the anniversary gathering took a more subdued form. Founding slogans were absent. Veteran leaders, long symbolic of the party's revolutionary legacy, were not present. And what remained was a younger leadership grappling with internal divisions, shifting alliances, and the formidable challenge of political relevance in a rapidly evolving Kurdistan Region. From Unity to Fragmentation Since its founding in 1975, the PUK has played a central role in shaping Kurdish and Iraqi politics, particularly after 2003. But that influence has waned since the death of Jalal Talabani in 2017. The transition to Bafel Talabani's leadership has been accompanied by sweeping changes in the party's internal structure—some described by allies as necessary modernization, and others by critics as centralization and exclusion. Prominent figures like Lahur Sheikh Jangi, once co-chair with Bafel, have been ousted amid internal disputes. Other influential veterans such as Mala Bakhtiyar, Mahmoud Sangawi, and Barham Salih have seen their roles curtailed. For many observers, this signals a fundamental shift in how the PUK defines leadership and legitimacy. Karzan Murad, an academic speaking to Shafaq News, argued that these developments reveal a deeper structural change. 'The party was once a collective leadership with strong personalities balancing each other out. Now, decision-making appears increasingly centered around a narrow circle.' Murad also noted that Bafel's recent visit to the US failed to secure meetings with senior officials—unlike his political rival PM Masrour Barzani of the KDP, who was received at the highest levels. "That contrast is telling," he added. PUK's traditionally close ties with Iran have also weakened. While Tehran once prioritized relations with Al-Sulaymaniyah-based leaders, it now engages more directly with the KDP, as seen in Nechirvan Barzani's prominent receptions in the Iranian capital, Murad said. Generational Change or Institutional Drift? Not everyone views the changes as negative. Delshad Namq, a political commentator, believes what the PUK is undergoing is an inevitable generational handover. 'No political party can be frozen in time,' he said. 'At some point, legacy has to make room for evolution.' But others, like longtime party member Hasan Rawi, warn that the current approach risks alienating both the base and international partners. 'Excluding historical figures removes a key source of institutional memory. International actors now view the party as adrift,' Rawi noted, citing a perceived lack of strategic vision and clarity. Researcher Badr Ismail Sherwaki echoed that concern, highlighting what he described as a growing disconnect between the party leadership and its traditional support base. 'Kurdish politics is personal. It's about loyalty to individuals, not just institutions. Without charismatic figures who command trust, it's unclear what fills the vacuum,' he said. Eroding Ground in Al-Sulaymaniyah Nowhere is the impact of these internal struggles more visible than in the party's heartland: Al-Sulaymaniyah. Once a stronghold, the city is increasingly fragmented. Lahur Sheikh Jangi has launched a new political movement—Berey Gel (People's Front)—which is gaining traction, especially among younger voters disillusioned with both the PUK's recent performance and its leadership disputes. This is reminiscent of the rise of the Gorran (Change) Movement in the early 2000s, which also tapped into frustration over stagnation and exclusion. Meanwhile, the PUK has lost political initiative in key regional matters. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) now leads most negotiations with Baghdad and has a firmer grip on sensitive files like energy and budget policy. With Kurdistan's political weight shifting westward to Erbil, the PUK risks becoming a reactive rather than proactive actor. The Leadership's Defense Bafel Talabani and his team argue that the changes should be seen as a necessary transformation rather than a betrayal of legacy. Senior PUK official Burhan Sheikh Rauf told Shafaq News that veteran voices are still respected and consulted through the party's High Council of Interests and that the reorganization is aimed at future-proofing the party. At a rally in al-Sulaymaniyah Stadium, Bafel Talabani struck a conciliatory tone. While honoring the party's history through visual tributes to figures like Jalal Talabani, his speech emphasized present-day challenges and the need for pragmatism. He reiterated that the PUK is still respected in Baghdad and remains a balancing force in Kurdistan's delicate political ecosystem, pointing to the party's continued support for regional Kurdish rights and its role in peace efforts with Ankara. Yet, some analysts believe this rhetorical balancing act may not be enough. Without delivering on core issues—public sector salaries, governance reforms, and tangible influence in Baghdad—the PUK's claim to relevance may ring hollow. Between Legacy and Uncertainty Established with a leftist identity that fused Kurdish nationalism with socialism, the PUK now finds itself navigating a complex terrain. Rather than a moment of glory, the 50th anniversary became a mirror held up to the party itself. It reflected nostalgia, fractures, and above all, a test: Can the PUK reinvent itself without losing its soul? Or will it become yet another legacy movement weighed down by the very history it once proudly authored?
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
PUK's head urges Baghdad to resolve Kurdistan salaries
Shafaq News/ The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) head Bafel Talabani said on Sunday that he has been in direct contact with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to address the ongoing salary crisis for public employees in the Kurdistan Region. Speaking at an event in al-Sulaymaniyah marking the PUK's 50th anniversary, Talabani said, 'I have spoken with al-Sudani about the salary payments for Kurdistan employees, and we are awaiting a solution to this issue.' The salary dispute has been a persistent source of tension between Erbil and Baghdad. The federal government's recent decision to halt salary disbursements to the Region's employees has fueled criticism in Kurdistan and raised concerns over the economic well-being of thousands of families. Talabani emphasized that the PUK continues to play a balancing role in Kurdistan and is viewed with respect both in Baghdad and across the Region. 'The Kurdish people have no issue with our Arab brothers, and the PUK is committed to resolving disputes with Baghdad,' he said. Addressing regional issues, Talabani highlighted the PUK's role in the peace process in Turkiye, saying, 'The PUK has an important role to play in this process and is capable of defending the rights of the Kurdish people.'
Shafaq News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
PUK leader endorses PKK dissolution
Shafaq News/ On Monday, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani welcomed the "historic" Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) decision to disband. The PKK announced its decision to disband and formally end its four-decade armed insurgency against the Turkish state, in response to a call made by imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan. 'Laying down arms is a crucial step, but the process must continue to achieve long-standing Kurdish aspirations,' Talabani stated, affirming the PUK's stance on peace as a "strategic principle," and expressing support for efforts aimed at consolidating this shift. Talabani referenced the legacy of the late PUK founder Jalal Talabani, noting that he was 'the first to lay the foundations of the peace process. We are continuing that mission.'
Rudaw Net
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
KDP-PUK Sunday meeting on government formation among last ones: Spox
Also in Kurdistan Badinan journalist to spend six more months in prison: Lawyer Kurdish leaders urge compensation for Halabja victims on 37th anniversary Akre mayor says over 2,000 torches prepared for Newroz KRG PM, PUK leader to meet in Erbil on Sunday A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Sunday meeting between the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) Masrour Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Bafel Talabani on government formation efforts is among the last with most issues resolved, the PUK's spokesperson said. "This meeting is among the last ones. I have heard from sides that 90 percent of differences and definitions - where needed - have been settled. Disputes have been reduced. Those [issues] that carried criticism and disputes have been addressed,' PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira told reporters. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, also a deputy KDP leader, and PUK leader Bafel Talabani are meeting in Erbil to discuss the formation of the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and regional developments. 'There are a few things left that were above the authority of the delegations and have been kept for the top meeting, which is taking place today. I believe that today is important,' Pira said. The Kurdistan Region held its delayed parliamentary elections in October. No single party won a majority, meaning 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. On January 16, Barzani and Talabani had their first meeting since the elections to discuss the government formation. During the election campaign, Talabani positioned himself as a strong critic of the current cabinet, frequently directing his rhetoric at Barzani.
Iraqi News
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Talabani: Demonstrations in Sulaymaniyah are a right for citizens
Baghdad-INA The head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Bafel Talabani, stressed today, Sunday, the necessity of implementing the articles of the constitution to resolve any disputes between Baghdad and Kurdistan Region, noting at the same time that the demonstrations in Sulaymaniyah are a right for citizens due to concerns about salaries. Talabani said during his participation in the activities of the Baghdad Dialogue Conference, which was attended by a correspondent for the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The demonstrations in Sulaymaniyah are a right for citizens, because there is concern about salaries," explaining that "we do not want to arrest any of the protesters, and we as a government in the region must bear responsibility." He added that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stressed the necessity of localizing salaries." Talabani stressed the necessity for Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region to work in parallel, stressing that "Kurdistan Regional Government is part of Iraq, and the articles of the constitution must be implemented to resolve any disputes," noting that "if the articles of the constitution are not implemented, the disputes will remain."
