Harem Kamal Agha Says Presidency of the Republic Is the PUK’s Entitlement

Reports 01:54 PM - 2026-02-04

Harem Kamal Agha, head of the PUK parliamentary bloc.

The Iraqi parliament is expected to hold a session next week to elect the President of the Republic, as the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) parliamentary bloc insists the post belongs to the PUK.

President of the Republic Is a PUK Entitlement

Harem Kamal Agha, head of the PUK bloc in Iraqi parliament, told PUKMEDIA that the presidency is a Kurdish entitlement and has, for many years, been held by the PUK.

He said the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has repeatedly sought the position but has failed to secure it, as its candidates were unable to obtain the required number of votes.

Opposition to Monopoly of Positions

Agha said it was unacceptable for the KDP to monopolise positions within the Kurdistan Region while also attempting to dominate posts in Baghdad. He noted that while the PUK has sought certain positions from the KDP within the Kurdistan Region, those requests were rejected, even as the KDP continued to pursue further positions at the federal level.

He argued that the KDP has no right to contest the presidency, having already secured its electoral share and the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament. According to Agha, the KDP’s bid for the presidency is aimed at exerting pressure on the PUK to force acceptance of its conditions in forming the Kurdistan Regional Government, despite knowing the position is not rightfully theirs.

Decision Expected Next Week

Agha said the issue of the presidency is due to be resolved next week, confirming that the PUK’s sole candidate for the post is Nizar Amedi.

He added that the PUK supported the KDP’s candidate for Deputy Speaker of parliament in the interest of national unity, but accused the KDP of calling for unity while simultaneously seeking to monopolise power.

Agha said the PUK has previously made significant sacrifices and relinquished many of its entitlements to preserve unity, but claimed these efforts have been disregarded. He stressed that genuine unity can only be achieved through compromise, tolerance and prioritising the public interest, not by controlling all positions.

PUK Candidate for the Presidency

The Iraqi parliament has announced the final list of candidates for the President of the Republic post, which includes 19 nominees, among them PUK candidate Nizar Amedi.

The PUK confirmed on Monday, 5 January 2026, that Nizar Mohammed Saeed, known as Nizar Amedi, is its official and sole nominee for the presidency of Iraq. PUK spokesperson Karwan Gaznay said the party remains fully committed to his candidacy.



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