One Year Passes Over First Session of Kurdistan Parliament's Sixth Term

PUKMEDIA

The first session of the Kurdistan Parliament's sixth term, 2 December 2025.

Today, 2 December 2025, marks one year since the first session of the Kurdistan Parliament’s sixth term. Yet, the presidency remains unelected and a new Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) cabinet has not been formed. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has made the correction of governance and the elimination of discrimination key conditions for participating in government formation. 

However, the PUK’s conditions—each aimed at serving the public interest—have been rejected by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the other ruling party expected to be a partner in governance. The political deadlock has prolonged the process and continues to delay the formation of the new government.

The parliament's inaugural session, held on Monday, 2 December 2024, convened with 97 members in attendance, alongside consuls and representatives from 19 countries across the region. 

The session opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a minute of silence in honour of the martyrs of Kurdistan. The Speaker of Parliament then invited the winning candidate, Mohammed Suleiman Mohammed, the oldest member of parliament, to take the constitutional oath and preside over the session in accordance with parliamentary regulations.

Once the temporary speaker had taken the oath, he invited the members of parliament to do the same, in alphabetical order.

Following the swearing-in, nominations were opened for the positions of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Secretary of Parliament. Although several members put themselves forward for these roles, the absence of a quorum prevented a vote from taking place. The session therefore remained open until agreement could be reached among the political blocs and the required quorum secured.

Elections for the sixth parliamentary term of the Kurdistan Region were held on 20 October 2024 across four electoral districts. The final results, announced on 30 October 2024, saw the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) achieve significant gains in all districts, increasing its vote share and securing 23 seats.

The PUK participated in the Kurdistan parliamentary elections with List 129 and later made its campaign slogan -correcting the course of governance- a core condition for the formation of the new cabinet. 

Initially, the PUK and the KDP jointly drafted a government programme designed to serve the Kurdish people and ensure that participation in the cabinet reflected genuine partnership in governance. However, the tenth cabinet has still not been formed, due to the KDP’s insistence on retaining all key positions, regardless of the election results or the PUK’s position. 

The PUK has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to forming an effective, service-oriented government in the Kurdistan Region—one that serves all citizens and all areas without discrimination. It seeks to remove party influence from official government offices, ensuring that ministries, departments, courts, and the government’s spokesperson serve solely as institutions of the state. These institutions should perform their duties impartially, without siding with any political party, and operate as official bodies dedicated to the citizens of the Kurdistan Region.

Following the Kurdistan parliamentary elections on 21 October 2024, PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani addressed the people of Kurdistan to clarify the PUK’s vision for the next cabinet: "The era of imposing political will is over... A new stage in governance and management begins—focused on providing services, guaranteeing salaries, and strengthening the legal institutions of the Kurdistan Region."

He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the people: "The PUK will honour the trust you placed in us with your votes and will not waver from the promises we have made."

The PUK remains steadfast in its commitment to participate in the government but will not join the tenth cabinet until the aspirations of the Kurdish people are fulfilled. Participation is conditional on the formation of a service-oriented and fair cabinet—distinct from previous administrations—where all parties are genuine partners in governance, rather than merely holding positions without true responsibility, as has occurred in the past.




PUKMEDIA