Family feud in Iraqi Kurdish party may undercut election chances

A dispute between the son of the founder of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the party's former leader, and his cousin might reduce the chances of victory in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Qubad Talabani, deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government and head of the electoral list of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, gestures before addressing supporters on the last day of campaigning for the Kurdistan regional election in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, on Sept. 27, 2018. - SHWAN MOHAMMED/AFP via Getty Images
Mustafa_Saadoun.jpg
Mustafa Saadoun
@SaadoonMustafa
Read in 

On Aug. 5, dozens of armed supporters of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Co-President Lahur Sheikh Jangi gathered around his house in Sulaimaniyah in Iraq's Kurdistan Region to defend him.

The supporters gathered after rumors circulated about an arrest warrant being issued with his name on it following accusations made by PUK Co-President Bafel Talabani, son of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more