# Political Crisis Threatens to Split Iraqi Kurdistan into Rival Administrations The PUK withdraws from government as the KDP attempts to resolve a parliamentary deadlock. - **Source:** [Asharq Al-Awsat English](https://english.aawsat.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b1444ebb-2878-483f-b4c7-b055991578f7 ## Deepening Political Standoff Iraqi Kurdistan faces a severe political crisis as the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announces its withdrawal from the regional government. This move follows a controversial parliamentary session held last Wednesday, the first in two years. The PUK labels the session unilateral, while the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) defends the assembly's legitimacy. ## Parliamentary Session Controversy The Kurdistan Regional Parliament convened with 52 lawmakers present, meeting the required legal quorum. The KDP, holding 39 seats, successfully elected its leadership without the participation of the PUK and its allies. The PUK, which holds 23 seats, denounced the proceedings and refused to recognize the newly elected parliamentary speaker, Vala Fareed. ## Threat of Dual Administrations Bafel Talabani, head of the PUK, warned of a return to separate administrations in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil. He declared that if the KDP appoints a prime minister unilaterally, the PUK will establish its own parallel government. This rhetoric revives fears of the historical administrative divide that once split the region into two. ## KDP's Stance on Governance KDP officials maintain that the parliamentary session was a victory for the people of Kurdistan, not a partisan maneuver. They argue that they spent nearly two years attempting to bring the PUK and other groups into the fold. The KDP insists that governance must proceed according to parliamentary strength and legal entitlements. ## Failure of Coalition Talks Negotiations between the KDP and the PUK-New Generation alliance failed to produce a power-sharing agreement. The alliance demanded half of the positions in the regional government, a proposal the KDP rejected. Despite repeated meetings, the parties could not agree on a framework that satisfied both sides' demands for political representation. ## PUK's Withdrawal Strategy Senior PUK official Mahmoud Khoshnaw confirmed that party representatives will begin vacating government offices this Sunday. The party warns that the current parliamentary outcome could have negative repercussions, potentially inviting outside powers to intervene. Khoshnaw suggested the PUK might seek full administrative independence for Sulaymaniyah if the current deadlock remains unresolved. ## Legal Quorum Disputes The core of the dispute involves conflicting accounts regarding the parliamentary quorum. The KDP claims the session was legal, with 52 lawmakers present from various blocs. Conversely, the PUK argues that governance cannot rely solely on seat arithmetic and must include all influential forces to ensure stability for the Kurdish people. ## Future Legislative Steps Despite the boycott, the KDP-led parliament plans to meet again on Monday. The agenda includes electing a legal committee and opening nominations for the Kurdistan region's presidency. The KDP urges the boycotting parties to return to parliament and participate in drafting the government's program to support the region's constitutional status. ## Historical Context of Division The prospect of rival administrations echoes past divisions in Iraqi Kurdistan that have historically hampered regional governance. The current crisis highlights the fragile nature of the power-sharing arrangements between the KDP and PUK. Both parties have spent nearly two years struggling to secure a parliamentary quorum to form a functional government. ## External and Internal Pressures The PUK fears that the current political instability could provide grounds for external interference in regional affairs. Meanwhile, the KDP maintains that the legislature is essential for protecting the region's constitutional status. Both parties are under pressure to resolve the standoff to prevent a complete breakdown of the regional political process. ## Call for Political Participation KDP official Dijwar Faiq emphasized that parties unwilling to govern could choose the opposition, but they must still attend parliamentary sessions. He questioned the purpose of participating in the October 2024 elections if parties refuse to engage in the resulting legislative process. The KDP remains open to fair, balanced power-sharing terms. ## Uncertain Path Forward As the PUK prepares to vacate offices, the region stands at a critical juncture. The success of ongoing talks to avert a split remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm on their demands. The stability of the Kurdistan region now depends on whether these historic rivals can find a compromise to govern together. ## Sources covering this story - https://english.aawsat.com/node/5338496 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. 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