Iraqi Kurdistan faces split as Patriotic Union pulls out of regional government

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has announced its withdrawal from the Kurdistan Regional Government, threatening to fracture the autonomous administration in northern Iraq and reviving fears of dual governing authorities.

The departure follows a session of the Kurdistan parliament, which met for the first time in nearly two years to choose a speaker. The vote took place despite a boycott staged by the PUK and allied political groups, who had sought delays to negotiate how top government portfolios would be allocated. During the session, 52 of the chamber's 100 lawmakers were present, narrowly reaching the required quorum to elect Vala Farid, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc, as speaker.

In a video address, PUK leader Bafel Talabani rejected the legitimacy of the parliamentary meeting and stated his party would pull out of the administration. Accusing factions within the governing KDP of undermining democratic standards and ignoring electorate preferences, Talabani cautioned that unilateral efforts to form a regional authority would prompt reciprocal moves in Sulaimaniyah, the party's traditional bastion. He warned that if the KDP appoints a regional president or prime minister, the PUK would name its own counterparts.

In response, a senior regional government official criticized Talabani and his party, alleging they were damaging democratic processes without having a sufficient electoral mandate to pursue division. Speaking to The National, the official noted that the PUK secured 23 percent of the vote across the Kurdistan Region and 11 percent in Sulaimaniyah and Halabja. The official rejected attempts to leverage armed power or pressure for political concessions, describing such tactics as unacceptable and arguing that the region belongs to all its citizens rather than individual parties.

The confrontation endangers a fragile political balance that has lasted since 2006, when the KDP and PUK reconciled after years of civil strife to create a unified administration. Analysts observe that persistent mistrust between the two historical adversaries has long impeded sustainable compromise, especially as international players such as the United States have reduced direct mediation efforts.

Regional analysts also warn that re-establishing separate administrative entities would undo decades of formal Kurdish cohesion in Iraq. The standoff emerges against a backdrop of broader regional shifts, including pressure from the federal government in Baghdad, changing dynamics across neighboring countries, and altered American strategic posture.

Meanwhile, federal discussions continued in Baghdad, where Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi held talks with US special envoy Tom Barrack to discuss economic engagement, commercial ties, and bilateral cooperation.