PUK and New Generation Leaders Announce Agreement

P.U.K 02:33 PM - 2026-01-17

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani alongside Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, leader of the New Generation Movement, during their press conference, 17 January 2025.

Bafel Jalal Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), announced on Saturday, 17 January 2025, a new political alliance with the New Generation Movement during a joint press conference with its leader.

"We will unite our faction with the New Generation Movement and respond with 38 seats," President Bafel said, emphasising that the agreement is not directed against any party but is aimed at the development of Kurdistan.

The PUK President visited the New Generation Movement and met with its leader, Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, following a proposal by the New Generation Movement to form a government with parties other than the KDP. The initiative aims to build a coalition to advance a transparent budget law, restore a balance of power, promote good governance, and reactivate the parliament.

Earlier in the day, the PUK President visited the Kurdistan Social Democratic Party (KSDP) and met with its leader Mohammed Haji Mahmoud.

PUK President: PUK and New Generation Movement's Views Are Very Close

Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, leader of the New Generation Movement, President Bafel said the initiative, first announced a year ago, had evolved positively.

"When this initiative was announced a year ago, we initially had different perspectives. We believed that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) was serious about forming a government and wanted to reach an agreement," he said. "That initiative remained and when the leader of the New Movement repeated it that day, I thought it was great and responded directly without consulting anyone."

He added that discussions between the two parties showed strong alignment between the two sides.

"In the meeting, we discussed our project and the New Generation shared theirs. What was pleasing was that their views were very close to those of the PUK. We are 100 percent with them regarding what they said about budget and one of our issues with the KDP is that. Therefore, this agreement is not against anyone—it is meant to take Kurdistan forward and address the concerns of the people regarding us and the government," he said.

PUK President: Parties Which Do Not to Join the Agreement are Endorsing This Sort of Governance

President Bafel also emphasised the importance of involving any dissatisfied parties in Kurdistan in the agreement to ensure inclusivity.

“We are not satisfied with the current form of governance. However, if the PUK were not part of the government, the situation would be ten times worse,” President Bafel said. “Fortunately, we both have now reached the conclusion that this government requires serious change. It is our responsibility to set aside personal differences and work for the sake of our people.”

"It is very important for any party that is dissatisfied with the current situation in Kurdistan to enter into this agreement," he said.

He added that parties which choose not to join the agreement are, in effect, endorsing the existing system of governance.

President Bafel reiterated that the PUK intends to remain part of the government and pursue leadership responsibility.

“We will be part of the government and, God willing, we will assume responsibility for governing. We have no agreement with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP),” he said.

He stressed that the initiative is strategic rather than tactical.

"This is not a political manoeuvre, because our goal is not tactics, but strategy," he said. "This country needs serious change. Therefore, we agree with the New Generation on this issue. This agreement will be expanded."

New Generation Leader: Oppositions was Created to Reform the Government

Meanwhile, the leader of the New Generation Movement said the agreement aims to restore balance and reform governance in the Kurdistan Region.

"If we reach an agreement with the PUK and sign it, the first priority is to establish a transparent budget law. It also aims to transferee all revenues from border crossings and oil to the budget, funds for cities and towns properly allocated, and salaries must no longer be delayed to address key issues such as the lack of sales in the market and youth unemployment. If we reach an agreement, we will present all its points to the public," he said.

He added that the agreement is a step towards broader political change.

"Over the past 30 years, the prime minister has been held by the KDP for all but two years. We aim to see a change in governance, either through a new prime minister or a rebalanced distribution of power. Our step should be welcomed by all opposition forces created to reform the government. The KDP cannot remain the sole controller of the country’s main institutions, including the presidency, the premiership, the parliament presidency board, the president of the security council, the president of the judicial council, the chief prosecutor, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of foreign relations— all eight critical posts of the Region—are dominated by the KDP with just 39 seats. We want to restore balance," he said.

Qadir added: "The PUK itself will visit all parties, but we will complete the points of the agreement together with the PUK and then we will be together and partners for the government and parliament."

The Kurdistan parliamentary elections were in held in October 2024. Since then, the PUK and KDP, holding the majority of votes, have not reached an agreement on forming the tenth government cabinet after several meetings since then, mainly due to disputes over senior positions despite prior agreement on the governance system.




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