A Delayed Government and the Politics of Optics – Redlight on
Opinion | Diyar Harki – Founder of KurdFile
The coordination between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to postpone government formation until after the elections appears less accidental than strategic. Any concession made before voters head to the polls risks being interpreted as weakness — and weakness carries electoral cost. By delaying compromise, both parties preserve their campaign narratives while quietly ensuring that their rivalry does not threaten their shared control over resources and authority.
The dynamic resembles two competing brothers who quarrel publicly yet remain united when it comes to dividing influence and protecting their domain.
In parallel, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reportedly traveled to Washington using his US Green Card status and private aircraft, seeking high-level engagement with the American administration through lobbying channels. Accounts suggest that these efforts did not yield the anticipated meetings.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement moved along a different channel. Steve Bitner met with Nechirvan Barzani, and discussions reportedly included the urgency of forming the next cabinet without further delay.
Taken together, these developments may signal growing external impatience with prolonged internal deadlock. Whether this represents a warning to the entrenched dual-party arrangement — or an opening for alternative political configurations — remains to be seen.
What is clear is that timing, optics, and international positioning are shaping the post-election landscape as much as the ballot itself.
Author Profile
- Diyar Harki is an independent investigative journalist and human rights advocate. As a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), he focuses on exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Kurdistan and Iraq. He voluntarily contributes to Kurdfile Media.
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