Iraq's Presidential Vote Dependent on Coordination Framework Decision, Says PUK Lawmaker

Iraqi Parliament's Media Office.

A previous session of the Iraqi Parliament.

The Iraqi parliament is expected to convene this week to elect the President of the Republic, a lawmaker from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has said. He noted that a parliamentary session would be held once the ruling Coordination Framework reaches a final decision on the prime ministerial candidate.

PUK Lawmaker Basman Smo Navkhosh told PUKMEDIA that the PUK has put forward a single candidate for the presidency.

“The PUK has only one candidate for the presidency, Nizar Amedi, who is leading among all candidates and enjoys broad support,” he said.

Commenting on the prime ministerial post, which is traditionally allocated to the Shiite parties in Iraq, the PUK MP stated that Nuri al-Maliki has been identified as the leading candidate.

“They have identified Nuri al-Maliki as the prime ministerial candidate, but his nomination has faced criticism despite the support he has received. Therefore, the Coordination Framework will hold its final meeting on Sunday,” he added.

Speaking about the anticipated parliamentary session this week, Navkhosh said that the parliament would convene only after the Coordination Framework finalises its decision.

“If the Coordination Framework makes a final decision on the prime ministerial candidate, the parliament will meet. The Kurdish parties have already made their decision and will enter the presidential race with several candidates. However, according to political tradition and electoral entitlement, the post among the Kurds belongs to the PUK,” he said.

He added that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had already secured its share of senior positions.

“The KDP has obtained its entitlement to the position of second deputy speaker of parliament. Other candidates have no real chance, as they hold very few seats in parliament and are not eligible for such political posts,” he noted.

The Iraqi parliament had previously scheduled two sessions to elect the president following the elections held in November last year, but both sessions were postponed due to the absence of a legal quorum and the non-attendance of several parliamentary blocs.



PUKMEDIA