KDP and PUK leadership meet in Erbil to address Baghdad disputes, pledge ‘intensified efforts’

ERBIL — Senior leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan met Monday in Pirmam to discuss the ongoing dispute between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad over public sector salaries and budget transfers, as well as to mend internal ties between the two ruling parties.

The high-level meeting, held in the presence of KDP President Masoud Barzani and PUK President Bafel Talabani, lasted over four hours. Also attending were KRG President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.

According to a joint statement, the two sides discussed “events, developments, and the issues of the Kurdistan Region and the federal government, particularly the financial entitlements and salaries of Kurdistan Region employees.”

As of July 14, KRG employees had not received their May wages. The crisis escalated in May when Iraq’s federal Finance Ministry suspended budget disbursements, accusing the regional government of exceeding its 2025 allocation by more than 19 trillion dinars and failing to submit verifiable data on oil and non-oil revenues. The KRG has rejected the claims, insisting it has fulfilled all constitutional requirements.

“After conversation and exchanging views and discussing all aspects politically, economically, and socially, both sides agreed to intensify efforts to resolve the problems and secure the Kurdistan Region’s salaries and financial entitlements, and to take all necessary steps within the constitutional framework in coordination between both sides,” the statement said.

The meeting also focused on bridging the political rifts between the two historic rivals. “A portion of the meeting was dedicated to further developing KDP–PUK relations in order to overcome obstacles and challenges, and to preserve the structure and achievements of the Kurdistan Region,” the parties said, adding that they called for broader unity among political forces in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to help resolve the crisis.

The Kurdistan Region held its most recent parliamentary elections on Oct. 20, 2024. The KDP won 39 out of 100 seats and the PUK 23. While traditionally governing in coalition, the two parties have failed to form a new regional government nearly nine months after the vote, amid ongoing disputes over power-sharing and key policy decisions.