SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — PUK’s Leadership Council met in Sulaimani on Saturday in the presence of politburo member Hero Ibrahim and acting leader Kosrat Rasul. The party announced a new politburo that will remain in place until its next congress.
“Kosrat Rasul will be the top decision maker of PUK,” Sadi Ahmed Pira, a senior PUK official, said at a press conference after the meeting.
At the meeting, an interim politburo was selected, namely without Najmaldin Karim, Barham Salih, and Azad Jundyani being chosen. Salih has formed his Coalition for Justice and Democracy List (CDJ), and ousted Kirkuk governor Karim has kept a low profile since leaving the city in October. Jundyani was formerly the party's spokesperson.
The new politburo will be in place until the PUK's "the upcoming congress," according to Pira, who didn't specify a date.
He said the first step of the politburo is to divide posts, solve economic issues, services "and support our candidates in elections' campaigns."
Eight years have passed since the last congress and it was delayed following several events in 2017.
“The PUK congress should be objective and qualitative,” said Pira. "The congress will have to provide a roadmap for solving the issues caused ever since the passing away of Mam Jalal."
A date for the much-anticipated PUK Congress to select the party's next leader is yet to be set despite looming Iraqi parliamentary elections on May 12.
“One reason for the delaying of the congress has been the ailment of Mam Jalal, then ISIS, then Mr. Nawshirwan passed away, Mr. Barham split, and the issues with Iraq. These were not helpful…” said Pira.
The PUK holds the second-most seats (21) among Kurdish parties in the Iraqi parliament behind the KDP’s 25. In October, Iraqi Security Forces supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi took control of the historic PUK stronghold of Kirkuk.
“The PUK in a meeting in October decided to discuss with the parties to have one list for the disputed territories. They did not reach a settlement with PUK. That is why all have their independent list [in those areas,” detailed Pira.
Pira doesn’t believe the base in Kirkuk “has been hurt too bad.”
“The situation of Kirkuk will also be normalized like relations between Erbil and Baghdad,” Pira said. “The opponents want to use October 16 to weaken PUK and ruin its reputation."
Ibrahim is the widow of PUK founder Jalal Talabani. Rasul is a veteran Peshmerga commander. Both have had verbal spats and internal struggles since Talabani’s death in October.
Last updated at 1:05 p.m.
