PM Al-Sudani to Bafel Talabani: ‘Expedite the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met on Saturday with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan President Bafel Talabani in Baghdad to discuss national political developments, cooperation between federal and regional authorities, and the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government following last October’s parliamentary elections, according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office.

The Kurdistan Region conducted parliamentary elections for its 100-seat legislature on Oct. 20. Preliminary results were released the following day, with final results officially announced on Oct. 30.

After review and validation by the judicial committee overseeing the process, the Kurdistan Democratic Party emerged with the largest cohort, securing 39 seats, while the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan followed with 23 seats. The opposition New Generation Movement obtained 17 seats.

The Kurdistan Region’s Parliament convened its inaugural session for the sixth term earlier this month, with 97 out of 100 members taking their constitutional oaths. However, the session was adjourned indefinitely due to the absence of a quorum required to elect the parliamentary leadership team.

Statement from PM Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today with the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Mr. Bafel Talabani.

The meeting reviewed the country’s overall situation, highlighting the vital role of political forces in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve its program objectives and drive comprehensive development aimed at enhancing service delivery and strengthening economic conditions.

The meeting also covered shared perspectives on various national issues, emphasizing the importance of fostering dialogue among political forces in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to expedite the formation of the Kurdistan regional government. This follows the successful parliamentary elections held last October. Additionally, the discussions focused on enhancing cooperation and coordination between the federal government and the next regional government across security, political, and developmental fields.