KDP in Baghdad: New government 'not necessarily inclusive to all parties'

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) discussed the formation of the next cabinet in multiple meetings with Iraqi leaders on Tuesday and hinted that some political parties could be left out.

The high-level delegation headed by KDP politburo secretary Fazil Mirani arrived in Baghdad the day before and began a series of meetings with various political figures and their parties, including Muqtada al-Sadr, Nouri al-Maliki, and Ammar al-Hakim in the post-election horse-trading of alliances with which Iraqis have become familiar. 

Speaking to Kurdistan 24 prior to the visit, Mirani stated that KDP Vice President Nechirvan Barzani met with PUK officials in preparation for the arrival of both parties' delegations to Baghdad. 

The KDP delegation's first meeting was with Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sairoon Coalition which took 54 seats in the election, more than any other bloc. 

After the meeting, Sadr’s office said in a statement that the next Iraqi government should work on resolving all issues between Baghdad and the Kurds, as well as those between all other factions.

In the second meeting, the KDP delegation met with former Prime Minister and head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki. 

Mirani stated in a press conference held afterwards that they shared some common views with Maliki about the formation of the next government, saying that they needed to resolve negative points and accentuate the positive ones. 

For his part, Maliki said that the meeting covered various political developments and the current creation of alliances in forming a new government.

“[It] was good and important,” he said, stating that he would speak again with the KDP after the delegation concludes its meetings with other parties.

Following a meeting with Ammar al-Hakim, head of al-Hikma bloc, Mirani commented that the next governmnet would be "not necessarily inclusive to all parties."

He added that, though the KDP discussed some points of contention between them, there was general agreement.

The first day's visit was concluded with a meeting with Hadi al-Amiri, head of al-Fatih Coalition and the Badr Organization militia.

In a joint press conference, Amiri called for an acceleration of efforts to form the new government, emphasizing the creation of a large national coalition where all parties are included.

Amiri added, "The Kurdish delegation will continue its discussions with the other political parties and we hope to reach positive results."

The KDP delegation is also expected to meet with head of al-Nasr Coalition and current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi Qarar Coalition's Usama al-Nujaifi, head of al-Wataniya Coalition Ayad Allawi, and other Iraqi leaders.

Editing by John J. Catherine