The KDP is in control of the Iraqi Kurdish government and has long held onto the presidency even though many of their critics say this is illegal.
The Iraqi Kurdish region is basically split into two zones. One half is under the control of the KDP party. The other is controlled by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, or PUK. The Change movement, a break off party from the PUK, has remained largely on the outside, acting as an opposition party.
In reality, the semi-autonomous region is split between areas that traditionally fall under KDP or PUK control, dubbed the “green” and “yellow” zones - after the colours of the parties’ flags – and they informally maintain total command over the armed forces in each respective zone.
Even though the KDP leader, Massoud Barzani, has taken a sideways step and officially given up the post of president – although he has not necessarily given up power – it seems unlikely that the KDP would be willing to give way to an interim government made up of their political foes.
The region’s prime minister is KDP member Nechirvan Barzani and at a Nov. 20 press conference he stated that the current government should be considered the interim government. “The formation of a new government will take time,” Barzani said.
Still, insiders say that Barzani had been willing to discuss the idea. “Nechirvan Barzani wants a decision to be made after a meeting at which all five major political parties meet,” the source said.
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