Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraqi Kurdistan, was in Baghdad on Monday for discussions on Iraq’s government formation process. During a two-day visit, Mr Barzani is scheduled to hold a series of high-level meetings with senior Iraqi leaders and officials, his office said.
“Discussions are expected to cover the ongoing political process, the formation of the new Iraqi federal government, the state of Erbil-Baghdad relations and a range of other matters of mutual concern,” it added.
The Co-ordination Framework, the grouping of Shiite parties that is the largest bloc in parliament, said Mr Barzani's first meeting was with its committee tasked with leading talks on forming the next government, which includes several senior politicians including former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki.
Mr Barzani led a delegation representing the Kurdistan Democratic Party, one of the two main ruling political parties in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
The meeting addressed “a number of files and issues related to the path of government formation”, the Co-ordination Framework said. The KDP delegation presented proposals and visions “that would contribute to enriching the government programme” and meet citizens’ aspirations while reinforcing political stability.
The talks also featured an exchange of views on ways to strengthen co-operation between political forces. Both sides stressed “the importance of mutual understandings to ensure the formation of a government capable of confronting current challenges and achieving development and services", it added.
They expressed their commitment to “continuing constructive dialogue” to reach “firm understandings that support the political process and consolidate national partnership".
The Kurdistan Region Presidency said the meeting emphasised the importance of co-operation and joint action among political parties to resolve the country’s problems, particularly the outstanding files between Erbil and Baghdad “on the basis of the constitution”. The two sides also underscored the need to protect Iraq’s security, stability and sovereignty.
Mr Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan region's support for Iraq’s political process and said it “will provide all necessary assistance to ensure the success of steps to form the new federal government”, the presidency statement said.
Regional developments and the impact of ongoing conflicts on Iraq were also discussed. The statement said both sides agreed on the need to “keep the country away from the risks of conflicts and tensions”.
The meeting comes as prime minister-designate Ali Al Zaidi works to secure backing from major blocs before the 30-day constitutional deadline to present a cabinet. It comes after Mr Al Zaidi’s visit to Erbil on Saturday and Mr Barzani’s subsequent trip to Baghdad for consultations on the formation process.
Since business tycoon Mr Al Zaidi was selected for the prime ministerial post by the Co-ordination Framework, political parties have intensified negotiations to form the new government – a process that has faced several setbacks in recent months.
On Saturday, Mr Al Zaidi led a Co-ordination Framework delegation to the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. He landed in Erbil, the regional capital, where as well as the President he met Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, and Masoud Barzani, the former president who is now leader of KDP. He later met Bafel Talabani, the leader of KDP’s rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, in Sulaymaniyah.
Mr Al Zaidi sought Kurdish backing and talks covered power-sharing, ministerial portfolios and long-standing Erbil-Baghdad disputes over issue such as budget allocations and oil exports, sources said.
Key hurdles include militia influence and attacks on Kurdistan, oil revenue sharing and budget transfers to the semi-autonomous region. Both Baghdad and Erbil say resolving disputes within the constitutional framework is critical for stability.
Mr Al Zaidi was formally tasked with forming a government on April 27. He has 30 days to present a cabinet that must have the backing of a parliamentary majority.
Government formation talks are unfolding with public backing from Washington. US President Donald Trump has spoken to Mr Al Zaidi and voiced his “strong support”.
“With our help, he won and we want him to do very well,” Mr Trump said. “And I told him that the United States is with him all the way. It was a great victory, the new head of Iraq is somebody that we support very strongly.”
Mr Trump also congratulated Mr Al Zaidi on Truth Social, writing: “We wish him success as he works to form a new government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraq.
“We look forward to a strong, vibrant and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States.” He invited Mr Al Zaidi to visit Washington after the new Iraqi government is formed.
The endorsement marks a shift from January, when Mr Trump threatened to withdraw US support if Mr Al Maliki was designated to form a cabinet.
