Erbil tells PUK: raise your objections inside the cabinet
The Kurdistan Region's caretaker cabinet has called on ministers from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), who announced their withdrawal from the government, to return to its meetings. The cabinet said objections should be raised at the cabinet table.
RastinewsThe Kurdistan Region's Council of Ministers met for the first time since the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announced its withdrawal from the government. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani chaired the session.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the cabinet called on the PUK's ministers to return to its meetings. The statement referred to the PUK ministers as "our colleagues." It said ministers' views, objections and proposals should be discussed and resolved at Council of Ministers meetings.
Backing for Barzani's call for dialogue
The Council of Ministers said it supported KDP leader Masoud Barzani's call for parties to come together and resolve their disputes through dialogue. The cabinet said such dialogue would strengthen the Kurdistan Region's constitutional institutions.
The meeting also addressed the 2027 budget talks with Baghdad. The cabinet instructed its negotiating delegation to continue the talks until a lasting agreement is reached on the region's budget share and salaries.
Khor Mor attack on the agenda
The Electricity Minister, who also serves as acting Minister of Natural Resources, told the meeting that gas production had stopped and electricity supply hours had been cut following a drone attack on the Khor Mor gas field. The Interior Minister said the joint security committee between Erbil and Baghdad was continuing its investigation. The cabinet condemned the attack as a "terrorist attack."
According to Kurdistan24, the official statement did not specify whether PUK ministers attended the meeting.
PUK had withdrawn from the government
PUK leader Bafel Talabani announced in a video message on November 5 that his party was withdrawing from the government immediately. Talabani also said the PUK would not recognize the parliament.
A day earlier, the Kurdistan Parliament had elected its presidency board with 52 lawmakers present, in a session the PUK boycotted. The parliament had been unable to function since its first session in December 2024 due to the deadlock between the KDP and the PUK.