Legislative elections could be repeated in Kurdistan Region: KDP official

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections could be repeated if the political parties fail to reach a final agreement on the formation of a new cabinet, said a senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official on Wednesday.

Kurdistan Region held long-delayed legislative elections in October last year but the political parties have failed to reach a final deal. The ruling KDP and its main rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), had reported in summer that they were very close, reactivating the parliament and forming a new government. However, tensions between both powerful pirates rose again during campaigning for the Iraqi legislative polls last month. 

“The Kurdistan Region can't function if there's no legitimate and legal government, with authority, recognized by the people, by the outside. This vacuum can't continue forever. What are the alternatives? There's still an opportunity to make an effort to form this government,” Hoshyar Zebari, a senior KDP official, told Rudaw at the sidelines of the Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) forum in Duhok. 

If the political parties fail to form a new government “certainly another election might be held,” he added. 

Following last year’s elections, all the opposition parties were quick to announce that they had no interest in taking part in government formation negotiations. The talks have been mostly between the KDP and PUK. Both parties have traded blame for the delay in forming a government.

The formation of a new government has been one of the main issues discussed during the Kurdistan Region’s meetings with foreign guests.

“Unfortunately, in forming the Kurdistan Regional Government, a [new] record was broken. It's very unfortunate. Our people and our friends were very concerned. They were concerned and still are concerned. When we have these negotiations, we feel that we have missed a golden opportunity,” the senior KDP official lamented.

During the extensive interview, Zebrari - who has served as Iraq’s foreign minister and finance minister in the past - talked about efforts to form a new government in Baghdad following the November 11 vote. He noted that the Shiite parties have already begun the process of finding a candidate for premiership.

Asked if the KDP would field a candidate for Iraq’s presidency, he said it is too early to comment. Bangin Rekani, another senior KDP official, told Rudaw earlier this week that the party may run for the mostly symbolic post, which has traditionally been held by a Kurd and a member of the PUK.

The following is the full transcript of the interview with Zebari:

Rudaw: In your opinion, will Iraq's government be formed soon?

Hoshyar Zebari: It's a difficult question. The preliminary elections of November 11, 2025, in Iraq were successful. From a technical perspective, in terms of public participation, the announced turnout rate was quite appropriate. The negotiation process has begun, and the final results have been announced. There haven't been significant changes. There are a few days left for appeals and for those who have complaints about the results, but I believe this election was held at an important time for Iraq and Iraq's future. For the political stability of this country. Will this be implemented? It's an open question. We as the KDP, apart from one million votes, won in Mosul, which is a major province of Iraq, our support for the quota [candidates] was a great success showing that the KDP is the owner or protector of all nations and religions in Kurdistan and Iraq.

Our list showed Iraqis and the world that it's a national Iraqi list with everyone included. All sides have come together in it. This rarely exists in other Iraqi parties. That's an honor for us. Some are satisfied with the results, and some are not. Undoubtedly, this election revealed a reality to Iraqis and the outside world that this election law lacks justice, it needs to be reviewed, and the strongest message for us was that we need to work on it. The results may not have pleased everyone, because many people have entered parliament who belong to armed groups, belong to extremist parties, and some parties that are on the terror and sanctions lists. Will this become an issue between Iraq's future government and dealing with the outside world, with the world, America, and the Arabs? How will this turn out? Now, as you mentioned, negotiations certainly won't start after a week - those negotiations have already begun. Yesterday we were here (in Duhok), all those personalities, all those Iraqi officials were all here.

Rudaw: Was the formation of the future government discussed?

Certainly, the next steps were discussed with everyone. Several major officials and bloc leaders, ministers, and even the representative of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq was here. The Minister of Higher Education, who is one of their leaders, was here. Therefore, this MEPS meeting was a good opportunity to gather all these people. In my opinion, this is the first time so many Iraqi officials have participated. The timing was golden and it was also an opportunity for our leadership and His Excellency the President [Masoud Barzani], the President of the Kurdistan Region [Nechirvan Barzani], the Prime Minister [Masrour Barzani], and us to see these people, but the process has begun.

It has begun. Will it take long?

It will take time. Whether this government will be formed soon or late, both possibilities exist. According to the timeline, this government should be concluded and implemented by March, according to the existing constitutional and legal contexts. Whether this can happen or not is an open question. Why? In this new map that emerged after the election, the forces that won are not really major forces, or they haven't brought back large numbers. All their force and size are medium, small, smaller, and it's not like before when one side would win a large number of votes, so forming a government might be difficult due to this fragmentation.

Will it happen as much as Kurdistan or will it be formed sooner?

We don't know, believe me. We have experience - before this, Iraq's governments were delayed. Seven months, eight months, nine months, but unfortunately, in forming the Kurdistan Regional Government, a record was broken. It's very unfortunate. Our people and our friends were very concerned. They were concerned and still are concerned. When we had these negotiations, we feel that we have missed a golden opportunity. Look, if after the [Kurdistan Parliament] elections we had formed the Kurdistan Regional Government, for this [Iraqi Parliament] election, if the KDP and PUK had done their work, competed for votes and such, imagine if we as KDP and PUK had 48 to 50 seats in Baghdad as the Kurdish side, if those other brothers had come too it would have been even better, but I'm saying KDP and PUK, we would have been the largest bloc. We would have determined the course of this governance. We called out many times.

Is there no opportunity now for them to be together?

We're not hopeless, if you want the truth, we must always look at things positively in politics. There was a situation where they didn't want to or didn't come forward to implement that government, and there were many things involved. Really, the PUK brothers could have done so with dignity; we tried to fulfill most of their demands. I'm saying this responsibly - let the brothers and PUK leadership hear me too - we made a great effort to take all concerns seriously, in the program, in the governance shortcomings, shared vision, and even in the positions. A great effort was made, but this is politics, let's understand that.

Do you think the Shiites in Iraq will nominate someone else for the prime minister position?

The debate among them is intense. According to most of their statements, the Coordination Framework has made itself the owner of this election, not Mr. Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani who won 54 to 56 seats, meaning we designate and you cannot designate yourself.

The Shiites?

Yes. That's the message. They've formed two committees. Your information is correct, Sangar. One committee to negotiate with Kurds and Sunnis, they've set up another committee to receive candidate forms for the Prime Minister position. What does that mean?

It means Sudani is not the only candidate?

Certainly. So it's clear this disagreement exists among them.

Won't the large number Sudani have won create problems for designating someone else as prime minister?

No. They say we are the majority and as the Coordination Framework, we go to parliament, they say we are the largest bloc, therefore it's our right to designate the Prime Minister. That's their program.

Does Sudani accept this too?

He went and participated, which means he has accepted it.

Has he signed the understanding too?

Yes. I think the condition for participating in that meeting and campaigning in that way means he agrees with the Coordination Framework's decision.

Will the KDP have a candidate for the presidency?

To be honest, it is early. We haven't reached that bridge to cross yet, but this government or any other government must have a guarantee of two-thirds of parliament's vote. Otherwise, neither the prime minister is designated, nor the Parliament Speaker is designated, nor is the government formed. Until there's a guarantee that these 220 votes will be secured, it's very difficult for someone to decide.

Have you thought about having a candidate for president?

This is a leadership decision. Believe me, perhaps soon there will be a leadership meeting at the political bureau level and the President [will be there and it will] be discussed. Because we are also a main part of the process. According to our election results, we will have a voice, we will sit at the table, deciding on these issues, but again I may not be able to answer you now.

Will the KDP make solving the salary issue a condition for forming the government?

Certainly. This treatment by the Baghdad government toward the Kurdistan Region is unfortunately unjust, unfair, and oppressive to our nation and our salary recipients, there's discrimination in it. Really, the feeling of those people is justified. Yesterday we heard several speeches, especially the UN representative's speech which was very strong, that the salary recipients' issue should not be politicized.

In your opinion, has it been done?

Yes, 100 percent it has been done to use it as a pressure card against the Kurdistan Regional Government and to make people dissatisfied with the government's performance, it was planned.

Was not sending money planned?

It was planned.

They say it's a technical issue.

They're not being honest. I've worked in this area. In many Iraqi governments, in finance, I know these issues are not technical, they're political.

But from the beginning, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani was your friend, and you approved of him.

We have a nature of assuming good intentions from the other side. That's the foundation of all laws.

But is politics done that way?

Look. We assume good intentions [from the other side], we also give opportunities to the other side. We've been patient, it's true as you say, no one supported Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani as much as the KDP and President Barzani. While most of his partners were against him. Not just within Iraq, but outside Iraq too, but unfortunately, really, he committed bad actions (disappointed us) and I mentioned this in an interview of mine a few months ago. That day will come when there's accountability.

Is the time now?

It was yesterday.

Did you settle accounts with him?

No, no, it was yesterday, we've reached that stage.

Reached what?

The stage where he'll be forced to need our help again, we saw it with our own eyes yesterday.

Did he come to Duhok out of necessity?

No, it was a good opportunity, this conference was happening, and on the other hand, all the KDP leadership was there.

Is it the day of reckoning with Sudani?

No, not reckoning, but we saw that day.

Will you support him again?

If you want the truth, again in politics there's a matter. A week is a long time in politics and you're in a hurry, to get all the answers (at that time) is still early.

Has it not reached that stage or you don’t want to answer us?

No, it must be reached, until the thing is reached, it's very, very difficult. It's a negotiation, the work isn't easy. It's not easy for us either, if you want the truth.

Has the KDP formed a committee for negotiations?

There's still time, but it must form one. It's a main condition if you want to participate, you must have a strong political committee to have those discussions with Baghdad.

Will the Constitution be implemented this parliamentary term?

We've tried to protect the constitution as a historical guarantee (document) and we've protected it until now, we haven't allowed them to change it. Many things in the constitution haven't been implemented. This is a process and it won't happen overnight, but there are some principles that must be implemented. Yesterday we heard from several constitutional experts and international legal experts. Just listen to their words, know how oppressed we are, how much they oppress us. because they don't adhere to that constitution.

Do you think Article 140 will be implemented?

It must be implemented.

When? 

Well, I say again, look, some things are unclear, unfortunately in the Article 140 areas some election results reinforce that it should remain. The election results in Nineveh are right in the Sinjar [Shingal] area, Makhmour, Nineveh Plain and those areas. Unfortunately, because the Kurds weren't united, we lost in Kirkuk. In Khanaqin and those areas, the results weren't like that because we weren't united. But one of the [reasons for] protecting that article is the people's vote. I think we've established that to a considerable extent once again.

Doesn't the reduction of Kurdish votes in Kirkuk affect the future of Kurds?

We're trying not to let it affect us, but we had expectations it would be better. At least for Kurds to maintain their percentage in Kirkuk, but because of this fragmentation and lack of unified position and not participating with a joint list, unfortunately Kurdish votes have decreased.

The PUK blames you and other parties.

I testify that the KDP had an initiative before the election, we told other parties and the PUK too, at least let's run together in some places, not all.

They didn't accept?

No. I myself conveyed this message to the PUK leadership in those negotiations between us and the PUK.

The PUK rejected it?

There wasn't really a response.

If the KDP has a candidate for president, does that mean the PUK and KDP haven't agreed on positions in Iraq's and Kurdistan's governments?

Everything must be in packages. For Iraq's governance and forming Iraq's government and the president and parliament speaker, as I explained to you because I lived through it and still do, that too must be a package. With the PUK certainly all communication lines and such haven't been cut.

You have communication?

It hasn't been cut. Certainly every side must review itself after this election. For the Kurdish situation, the Kurdish role in Baghdad and implementing the Constitution, participating in government and distributing positions and many other things, we must all stand on these.

Will Baghdad and Erbil be one package?

No, that's separate. Baghdad is now separate. Ours was separate. Look, forming the Kurdistan Regional Government is a completely different process. It was done a year ago and the results were announced and people participated enthusiastically, unfortunately they didn't come forward. We tried in every way to be ready for Iraq's election to be together, form our government, give legitimacy back to our institutions again, like parliament, government and courts. But we weren't successful in it. Unfortunately we lost the big picture due to internal disagreements. We had warned at that time, but the two processes aren't tied together.

The processes won't become one package?

Which?

Baghdad and Erbil

No, Erbil is different, the Kurdistan Region election was different from Baghdad's where we all participated, they're two different processes. They're not tied together.

If the PUK doesn't come forward, what will be the fate of parliament?

The fate of parliament unfortunately, this chaos is everyone's responsibility, certainly it can't be with that vacuum. The Kurdistan Region can't function if there's no legitimate and legal government, with authority, recognized by the people, by the outside, this vacuum can't continue forever. What are the alternatives? There's still an opportunity to make an effort to form this government.

With the PUK?

With the PUK and even with other parties. We've tried everything, we went to those who even had one seat.

Will you go to them again?

That depends on their willingness.

President' Masoud Barzani's message was clear at MEPS and he called on all parties to take part in forming the government.

It was very clear.

Will the KDP take practical steps for this matter?

Practical steps, certainly we've tried. We've always taken the initiative for this matter, because our sense of responsibility is greater, but to answer your question about what will be the future of the Kurdistan Region with that vacuum, if it doesn't happen, certainly another election might be held.

Repeated?

Certainly if this doesn't succeed, what do you do?

Who decides that?

The Kurdistan parties decide that.

If the PUK doesn't come forward with other parties, won't they reactivate parliament?

It's a legitimate right for those who won, if they want to participate in forming the government, we took that into account, right after the Kurdistan Region election we had negotiations with all the winners, with the Islamists, New Generation, Gorran, no one was left out, to come let's form this broad-based government, they didn't come, most of them didn't come.
The PUK side remained. We tried and assumed good intentions that with the PUK we're two old partners in the struggle and in creating this entity we've been together and worked together, perhaps we can create something so that before Iraq's elections we can please our people's hearts and our position in Baghdad would be stronger and we'd participate together in Iraq's parliament election, the result would be very good. This was our view, unfortunately that wasn't implemented.

Between two options, choose one: reactivating parliament, repeating the election. Which is stronger?

We had a decision with the PUK from August to reactivate parliament. We also issued a statement, but it wasn't implemented.

The stronger possibility is repeating the election?

To fill that vacuum we must look for a solution. Of all solutions, perhaps an early election would be most suitable.

Aren't people tired?

By God, we've tired them out. But this is also a condition that must be in this new Iraq, in the Kurdistan Region we must pass through these processes, unfortunately.

[Source: Rûdaw English]