PUK Supports Formation of Both Governments — but with Clear Conditions

P.U.K 12:33 PM - 2025-11-22

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) logo.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which emerged as a leading winner in both the Iraqi and Kurdistan parliamentary elections, has reaffirmed its support for the formation of the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the new Iraqi federal government in Baghdad. However, senior PUK officials stress that their support is conditional and tied to ensuring good governance, constitutional adherence, and equal services for all regions.

President Bafel: The Government Must Serve the People

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani has repeatedly stated—both during the election campaign and in multiple interviews—that the PUK will not permit the return of partisan, discriminatory governance. He emphasises that any new cabinet must be a people’s government that serves citizens.

Clear PUK Conditions for the Formation of the New KRG Cabinet

Khidr Mustafa, a member of the PUK Leadership Council, told PUKMEDIA that the party’s policy is transparent and firm: “The PUK supports forming a new KRG cabinet as soon as possible, but we will not agree to any government that fails to serve all areas of the Kurdistan Region fairly. We will not accept a repeat of previous cabinets.”

He criticised the outgoing government for politicising public projects: “During the electoral campaigns, projects in Erbil and Duhok were opened as party achievements by the Kurdistan Region's prime minister, while no comparable projects were opened in Halabja or Sulaymaniyah. This exposed the discrimination that the people of Kurdistan are fully aware of.”

Guaranteeing Salaries: A Central PUK Priority

Rabiha Hamad, another member of the PUK Leadership Council, underscored that any future government—whether in Baghdad or Erbil—must prioritise citizens’ livelihoods, especially the long-standing issue of public sector salaries.

“The PUK stands by the Constitution, which was built with the sacrifices of our people. The next Iraqi government must guarantee the rights of the Kurdistan Region in accordance with the Constitution,” Hamad told PUKMEDIA.

She added that the formation of the Iraqi federal government must reflect consensus among Iraq’s three main components: “The prime minister should be chosen by the Shia', the presidency by the Kurds, and the parliament speakership by the Sunnis. True partnership requires political agreement, not dominance.”

She stressed that the PUK will support only those agreements that directly serve the people, especially regarding salary guarantees, which remain a top concern for the party.

PUK Efforts to Prevent Dictatorship and Ensure Genuine Partnership

The PUK has intensified efforts to secure real partnership in both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. According to party officials, genuine partnership is not merely about sharing positions, but about playing a meaningful role in decision-making, governance, and protecting democratic norms.

Ensuring the stability of public salaries, preventing authoritarian tendencies, and safeguarding constitutional rights remain at the heart of the PUK’s conditions for supporting both governments.



PUKMEDIA