The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has welcomed an initiative by Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), aimed at bringing political parties together and ending the prolonged deadlock that has delayed the formation of a new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet.

Speaking to reporters, Saadi Ahmed Pira, a member of the PUK Political Bureau, expressed support for Barzani’s call for dialogue, stressing that it should lead to practical steps rather than remain symbolic.

“The initiative of President Masoud Barzani and Salahaddin Bahaaddin should not remain merely words,” Pira said. “I hope it will be translated into action and followed through.”

Barzani, in his Eid al-Adha message, called on Kurdish political parties to set aside internal disputes and hold meetings after the holiday to resolve disagreements that have prevented the formation of a new government since the October 2024 parliamentary elections.

Pira confirmed that the PUK remains ready for dialogue, emphasizing openness to negotiations. “The doors of dialogue are always open, and the PUK is ready,” he said, adding that Barzani’s initiative reflects concern over the Kurdistan Region’s current challenges.

“Kak Masoud is the oldest and most experienced among us. When he launches an initiative, it stems from his conviction that Kurdistan is facing threats and going through a critical period,” he added.

The senior PUK official warned that regional instability increases the urgency for political unity. “The wars around us have not ended, and whether we like it or not, their consequences will reach us,” he said. “Therefore, we must unite our ranks in preparation for any emergency.”

He also pointed to developments in other parts of Kurdistan, arguing that a strong and functional Kurdistan Regional Government is necessary to support Kurdish interests through political and peaceful means.

However, Pira acknowledged that significant disagreements remain between the PUK and the KDP, particularly over power-sharing and trust issues, which continue to obstruct negotiations over the formation of the next cabinet.

“We have problems regarding the distribution of positions and trust,” he said.

Pira further emphasized the importance of Kurdish political coordination, noting that stronger unity would enhance the region’s influence both in the Kurdistan Region and in Baghdad.

His remarks followed comments from KDP spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammed, who said the party had intensified contacts with political groups after Eid as part of Barzani’s initiative and was working to facilitate a meeting with the PUK and other parties.

Nearly 20 months after the Kurdistan parliamentary elections, political disagreements continue to delay the formation of a new government. The KDP secured 39 seats in the 2024 vote, while the PUK won 23 seats, making cooperation between the two parties essential for forming the next cabinet.