Kurds need to narrow down choices for Iraqi president
The two largest Kurdish political parties in Iraq are likely to agree eventually on a presidential candidate, but in the meantime several hats are in the ring.
BAGHDAD —Iraq's presidency, a largely ceremonial position, is usually held by a Sunni Kurd, while the premiership has been the preserve of Shiites for more than a decade. But Kurds are having trouble agreeing on a candidate, which could threaten their essential united front in Baghdad.
Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi announced Sept. 18 that presidential candidates could begin submitting their applications through parliament's website.
The next day, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announced it was nominating Barham Salih. The PUK didn't discuss the nomination beforehand with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which is its political ally in the Kurdistan region. The KDP also wants to nominate a candidate — and has several in mind. The KDP, led by Massoud Barzani, is the larger party.
The PUK believes the presidency should be held by one of its own members, as per a previous agreement concluded under the late party leader, President Jalal Talabani. Salih, a former PUK leader, split from the party in 2017 to form his own party, citing what he called mismanagement of the Kurdish provinces. He participated in the May general elections and his party won two parliament seats.
