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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – As the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) marked its 44th anniversary on Saturday, party officials called on the leadership to name the date for its long-delayed congress, which could help the party win back the popularity it once had.
Party history
The foundation of the PUK was first announced in Syria and Germany on June 1, 1975. The party was formed from a coalition of various Kurdish political groups.
It is one of the largest and most influential political parties in the Kurdistan Region, today holding 21 seats in the Kurdish legislature and 18 in the Iraqi parliament. The PUK’s mission statement is self-determination, peace, and democracy.
Its founder and late leader Jalal Talabani suffered a severe stroke in 2012, precipitating a leadership crisis within the party. Party disputes finally led to the creation of a new group known as the ‘decision-making body’ by first deputy leader Kosrat Rasul and second deputy leader Barham Salih in September 2016. The body was later dissolved following talks between party leaders.
The PUK has splintered several times. Party co-founder and reformist Nawshirwan Mustafa resigned from the party in 2007 and formed the Change Movement (Gorran) in 2009. The most recent breakaway from the party came in 2017 when current Iraqi President Barham Salih resigned and formed the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), which he later left to rejoin the PUK.
Party congress
The PUK has long delayed its party congress, where the leadership is due to stand for election. Disputes between leading factions within the party badly undermined its performance in recent national elections, leading to fresh calls for the congress to take place.
Prominent PUK leader Mala Bakhtiar, head of the party’s politburo executive body, released a video message on Friday marking the party’s anniversary, urging the leadership to hold its congress.
Bakhtiar urged his party to face up to its problems and stop procrastinating.
“It is impossible for the PUK to recuperate its position, love [among its members and supporters] and high confidence through [simply] patching up its [problems],” he said.
“People will not place their confidence in us again if we [only] patch up [our problems], except if we hold a congress, examine all PUK policies, and redesign them.”
“The situation of the PUK will certainly deteriorate if the party leadership does not hold a congress.”
The party has reached a “decisive crossroad”, he warned.
“The PUK should adjust and revamp itself in order to best face the challenges facing Kurdistan, the PUK, and Iraq,” said Talabani in his own video message. “And the best way to revive is holding a congress.”
He urged the party to return to its founding ideals.
“I call for a congress to be held in order to revive, reinvigorate the PUK, review PUK policies, return to the principles and ideals the PUK was established for, and design a wise policy that can take Kurdistan to a peaceful shore,” he added.
PUK-KDP relations
Bakhtiar also touched on the recent falling out between the PUK and its rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
The PUK accused the KDP of reneging on its government formation deal, leading it to boycott a parliamentary session that elected Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani as president of the Kurdistan Region.
Islamic Group (Komal), Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), and New Generation also abstained from the vote, citing concerns over the unchecked powers of the presidency and the parliament’s inability to hold him to account.
“Divisions between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party are certainly worrying,” Bakhtiar said.
“Divisions among political parties are increasingly widening,” he warned.
Joint endeavors
In a letter to PUK leadership, the KDP congratulated the party on its anniversary.
The KDP hopes the occasion “encourages joint work by all political parties in an attempt to strengthen our institutions, protect our achievements, and accomplish more for our nation.”
“The Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the region as a whole are in a sensitive situation, facing multiple changes. That is why it is the duty of all patriotic parties to shoulder the responsibilities of the phase and regard the future and fate of Kurdistan and the nation along with its supreme interests as higher than anything else,” the KDP added.
Party history
The foundation of the PUK was first announced in Syria and Germany on June 1, 1975. The party was formed from a coalition of various Kurdish political groups.
It is one of the largest and most influential political parties in the Kurdistan Region, today holding 21 seats in the Kurdish legislature and 18 in the Iraqi parliament. The PUK’s mission statement is self-determination, peace, and democracy.
Its founder and late leader Jalal Talabani suffered a severe stroke in 2012, precipitating a leadership crisis within the party. Party disputes finally led to the creation of a new group known as the ‘decision-making body’ by first deputy leader Kosrat Rasul and second deputy leader Barham Salih in September 2016. The body was later dissolved following talks between party leaders.
The PUK has splintered several times. Party co-founder and reformist Nawshirwan Mustafa resigned from the party in 2007 and formed the Change Movement (Gorran) in 2009. The most recent breakaway from the party came in 2017 when current Iraqi President Barham Salih resigned and formed the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), which he later left to rejoin the PUK.
Party congress
The PUK has long delayed its party congress, where the leadership is due to stand for election. Disputes between leading factions within the party badly undermined its performance in recent national elections, leading to fresh calls for the congress to take place.
Prominent PUK leader Mala Bakhtiar, head of the party’s politburo executive body, released a video message on Friday marking the party’s anniversary, urging the leadership to hold its congress.
Bakhtiar urged his party to face up to its problems and stop procrastinating.
“It is impossible for the PUK to recuperate its position, love [among its members and supporters] and high confidence through [simply] patching up its [problems],” he said.
“People will not place their confidence in us again if we [only] patch up [our problems], except if we hold a congress, examine all PUK policies, and redesign them.”
“The situation of the PUK will certainly deteriorate if the party leadership does not hold a congress.”
The party has reached a “decisive crossroad”, he warned.
Qubad Talabani, incumbent deputy prime minister and son of Jalal Talabani, echoed Bakhtiar’s call for a congress.
“The PUK should adjust and revamp itself in order to best face the challenges facing Kurdistan, the PUK, and Iraq,” said Talabani in his own video message. “And the best way to revive is holding a congress.”
He urged the party to return to its founding ideals.
“I call for a congress to be held in order to revive, reinvigorate the PUK, review PUK policies, return to the principles and ideals the PUK was established for, and design a wise policy that can take Kurdistan to a peaceful shore,” he added.
PUK-KDP relations
Bakhtiar also touched on the recent falling out between the PUK and its rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
The PUK accused the KDP of reneging on its government formation deal, leading it to boycott a parliamentary session that elected Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani as president of the Kurdistan Region.
Islamic Group (Komal), Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), and New Generation also abstained from the vote, citing concerns over the unchecked powers of the presidency and the parliament’s inability to hold him to account.
“Divisions between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party are certainly worrying,” Bakhtiar said.
“Divisions among political parties are increasingly widening,” he warned.
Joint endeavors
In a letter to PUK leadership, the KDP congratulated the party on its anniversary.
The KDP hopes the occasion “encourages joint work by all political parties in an attempt to strengthen our institutions, protect our achievements, and accomplish more for our nation.”
“The Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the region as a whole are in a sensitive situation, facing multiple changes. That is why it is the duty of all patriotic parties to shoulder the responsibilities of the phase and regard the future and fate of Kurdistan and the nation along with its supreme interests as higher than anything else,” the KDP added.
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