The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has announced its withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government, with party leader Bafel Talabani saying it will pursue the formation of a separate administration in Sulaymaniyah.

“We had hoped to form a government different from previous governments and establish better relations with Baghdad, but the Kurdistan Democratic Party does not respect democracy and the will of the people,” Talabani said in a speech on Thursday night.

He added that the PUK no longer recognized the Kurdistan Region’s parliament or its proceedings, and had therefore decided to withdraw from the regional government.

“To the other side, we say: whatever steps you take, we will respond accordingly. If you appoint a President of the Kurdistan Region, we will appoint one too. If you appoint a Prime Minister, we will do likewise. And if you appoint any minister, we will appoint a minister as well. In short, whatever action you take will be met with a corresponding response,” he declared.

The announcement followed an emergency meeting of the PUK leadership council, chaired by Talabani, to discuss recent political developments, particularly the first session of the regional parliament and its consequences.

The Kurdistan Region’s parliament convened on Wednesday for the first time in nearly two years, electing Fala Farid Ibrahim as speaker with 52 votes.

Rami Nouri Audish was elected deputy speaker, while Mona Nabi Nader was chosen as secretary of the parliamentary leadership.

Closure of Iran-Iraq border crossing sparks protests, threatens livelihoods in Maysan

Protests have intensified in Iraq’s southeastern Maysan Province, as drivers, border workers, and local residents demand the immediate reopening of the Al-Sheib (Chazabeh) crossing with Iran.

The PUK and several allied political groups boycotted the session amid disagreements over the formation of the regional government and the distribution of senior positions.

The dispute follows the October 2024 parliamentary election, in which the KDP secured 39 seats and the PUK won 23 in the 100-member legislature.

The two parties have been the Kurdistan Region’s dominant political forces for decades and have shared power since 1992, but longstanding disagreements have repeatedly delayed government formation and efforts to unify regional institutions.