KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION PARTY

(KDSP/PCDK)

   The KDSP was formed as a pro-Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) region in 2002. Both Diyar Gharib and Faiq Gulpi have been cited as its current leader. The party held its fourth annual congress in Kirkuk on 1-3 May 2008 but was banned from participating in the KRG elections of 25 July 2009. On the demands of Turkey, the party's offices in many cities also were closed, but the party itself continued to operate.