While it would not be an ideal scenario, there is precedence for not including the PUK in the government, KDP Politburo Secretary Fazil Mirani said during an interview with Voice of America published on Monday, April 1.

Following the 2013 parliamentary elections, the Change Movement (Gorran) emerged as the second largest party in the legislature and formed a government with the KDP, leaving the PUK on the outside, NRT reported.

“We don’t count seats with the PUK, but the PUK should not seek the fifty-fifty [arrangement of previous governments],” Mirani said.

“Both parties are on the way to reaching an agreement,” he added.

The KDP official further said that the PUK had asked for five to six ministries in the new cabinet.

The two parties signed a political agreement on March 4, but there has been little public progress towards forming a government since then.

Reporter’s code: 50101