ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has denied claims it asked Barham Salih to return to the party to become its candidate for the Iraqi presidency.
Rumors emerged on social media and several news platforms this week suggesting Salih, a former prime minister of the Kurdistan Region and deputy prime minister of Iraq, might be nominated for the Iraqi presidency if he rejoins the PUK.
Salih was the second deputy to the PUK president until he broke away from the party in January to found his own list, the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ).
“The severe crisis that our nation is going through is the result of work planned by some self-serving bodies who – despite their huge failures, unfitness for governance, lacking people’s confidence – still keep imposing [their] political power,” Salih said in his first address as head of the new party.
The CDJ performed poorly in Iraq’s May 12 parliamentary election, obtaining just two seats.
Since 2006, Iraq has always had a Kurdish president, and always from the PUK. Jalal Talabani, the late founder and head of the PUK, was Iraqi president for two terms. Since 2014, PUK co-founder Fuad Masum has held the presidency.
“We have not finalized PUK candidate for Iraqi president. The PUK leadership will decide about this,” Qadir added.
Salih served as deputy prime minister of Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and 2006 to 2009. He was prime minister of the Kurdistan Region from 2009 to 2012.
Salih has accused the PUK of committing fraud in the May 12 election, joining with other Kurdish opposition parties to demand a full manual recount of votes – and even a rerun of the whole election. Owing to these developments, Salih may not accept the candidacy even if it is offered to him.
Iraq has still not created a new government, months after its disputed May 12 election. With the big Shiite parties divided, Kurdish parties are in a unique position to play kingmaker. The PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) – traditionally the two biggest parties in the Kurdistan Region – are trying to agree a united platform for negotiations with Iraqi parties to found a coalition government.
As the biggest Kurdish party, it is possible the KDP will this time insist upon taking the Iraqi presidency. However, as the role is largely ceremonial, the Kurdish parties may ask for a different ministerial posting to wield greater influence in Baghdad.
Rumors emerged on social media and several news platforms this week suggesting Salih, a former prime minister of the Kurdistan Region and deputy prime minister of Iraq, might be nominated for the Iraqi presidency if he rejoins the PUK.
“We have not promised anyone the position of Iraqi president. Yet, the PUK is an influential party in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and is open for anyone who wants to work within this party,” Hakim Qadir, a member of PUK politburo, responded during a press conference on Saturday.
Salih was the second deputy to the PUK president until he broke away from the party in January to found his own list, the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ).
“The severe crisis that our nation is going through is the result of work planned by some self-serving bodies who – despite their huge failures, unfitness for governance, lacking people’s confidence – still keep imposing [their] political power,” Salih said in his first address as head of the new party.
The CDJ performed poorly in Iraq’s May 12 parliamentary election, obtaining just two seats.
Since 2006, Iraq has always had a Kurdish president, and always from the PUK. Jalal Talabani, the late founder and head of the PUK, was Iraqi president for two terms. Since 2014, PUK co-founder Fuad Masum has held the presidency.
“We have not finalized PUK candidate for Iraqi president. The PUK leadership will decide about this,” Qadir added.
Salih served as deputy prime minister of Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and 2006 to 2009. He was prime minister of the Kurdistan Region from 2009 to 2012.
Salih has accused the PUK of committing fraud in the May 12 election, joining with other Kurdish opposition parties to demand a full manual recount of votes – and even a rerun of the whole election. Owing to these developments, Salih may not accept the candidacy even if it is offered to him.
Iraq has still not created a new government, months after its disputed May 12 election. With the big Shiite parties divided, Kurdish parties are in a unique position to play kingmaker. The PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) – traditionally the two biggest parties in the Kurdistan Region – are trying to agree a united platform for negotiations with Iraqi parties to found a coalition government.
As the biggest Kurdish party, it is possible the KDP will this time insist upon taking the Iraqi presidency. However, as the role is largely ceremonial, the Kurdish parties may ask for a different ministerial posting to wield greater influence in Baghdad.
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