Kurdish support for Zaidi’s cabinet continued to grow on Wednesday as major Kurdish parties confirmed participation in Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary session. The vote will decide the future of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi’s incoming government.
Lawmakers from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and the New Generation Movement announced their attendance ahead of Thursday’s confidence vote. Meanwhile, several opposition groups still negotiate political demands before making a final decision.
Danar Abdulghafar, spokesperson for the KDP bloc in Iraq’s parliament, confirmed the party’s position on Wednesday. He said KDP lawmakers would attend the session and support the incoming cabinet.
Furthermore, Abdulghafar revealed that recent negotiations secured two ministries for the KDP. The party expects to receive the foreign affairs ministry and the reconstruction ministry. However, party leaders still discuss possible nominees for both positions.
At the same time, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan also confirmed its participation in the vote. Harem Kamal Agha, head of the PUK bloc in parliament, said the party reached an agreement regarding cabinet representation.
According to Agha, the PUK will likely retain the justice ministry in the new government. Party officials continue discussing Khaled Shwani as a possible candidate for another term.
Additionally, the New Generation Movement announced support for the cabinet session. Kurdawan Jama, head of the party’s bloc in parliament, confirmed the agreement publicly.
The party expects to receive the environment ministry under the latest political deal. Moreover, officials nominated Srwa Abdulwahid for the position. The move strengthens cooperation between opposition parties inside Iraq’s federal system.
Earlier this year, the PUK and the New Generation Movement formed a broad political alliance. The alliance aimed to balance the growing influence of the KDP across both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region.
The KDP remains the strongest Kurdish party in Iraq’s parliament. The party secured 26 seats during the November elections and earned more than one million votes nationwide. Meanwhile, the PUK controls 15 seats, while the New Generation Movement holds three.
Kurdish support for the Zaidi cabinet also reflects broader negotiations between Baghdad and Kurdish political factions. Iraqi political leaders continue discussing ministerial portfolios and power-sharing arrangements ahead of the crucial vote.
Ali al-Daffayi, spokesperson for the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, confirmed several agreements on Wednesday. He stated that Kurdish parties would receive the ministries of foreign affairs, justice, construction and housing, and environment.
Last month, the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework officially selected Zaidi as its candidate for prime minister. The alliance controls 174 seats in Iraq’s 329-member parliament.
Soon afterward, President Nizar Amedi tasked Zaidi with forming a government within 30 days. Since then, Zaidi has held meetings with major political blocs across Iraq.
Zaidi recently submitted his government program to Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi. Iraqi state media said lawmakers would review the program before examining cabinet nominees.
Still, uncertainty remains around several Kurdish opposition parties. The National Stance Movement, the Islamic Union of Kurdistan, and the Kurdistan Justice Group have not confirmed attendance.
Rebwar Karim, head of Halwest’s parliamentary bloc, said discussions continue with the prime minister-designate. The parties seek guarantees on political demands and ministerial representation.
He explained that the groups submitted a memorandum addressing issues affecting people in the Kurdistan Region. Additionally, the parties continue requesting a ministerial position in the next cabinet.
For now, negotiations continue behind closed doors. Nevertheless, Kurdish support for the Zaidi cabinet appears to be strengthening ahead of Thursday’s decisive parliamentary session.
