Iraqi Ruling Coalition to Meet in Baghdad on Presidency and Premiership With PUK President Present

Iraq 12:37 PM - 2026-02-08

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani in a previous meeting of the State Administration Coalition.

Iraq's ruling State Administration Coalition is set to meet in Baghdad on Sunday, 8 February 2026, to decide on the posts of president and prime minister, while the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) emphasises that the presidency is its share, viewing it as the party’s rightful entitlement under political agreements.

Abbas al-Mussawi, media advisor to former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, said that the meeting, which will include representatives of all coalition parties, will also discuss the domestic situation in Iraq and regional developments.

Commitment to Timelines and Constitutional Obligations

PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani received a senior delegation from Iraq’s Coordination Framework in Dabashan, Sulaymaniyah last week.

The delegation included Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Hadi al-Amiri, Muhsin al-Mandalawi, and Abbas Radhi. 

During the talks, the two sides discussed the latest political developments in Iraq and the wider region, reaffirming the significance of addressing the challenges.

Discussions also focused on the formation of the new Iraqi government and the election of the President of the Republic, with emphasis placed on adhering to constitutional deadlines to complete the procedures and form a service-oriented government.

Presidency of the Republic Is the PUK’s 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.

PUK Candidate for Presidency Enjoys Broad Support

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.

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 PUK emphasises that the post of President of Iraq is its political entitlement under established agreements and conventions, and has officially nominated Nizar Amedi as its sole candidate for the position.

Ever since the fall of the former Iraqi regime, the presidency of Iraq has been allocated to the PUK. Previous presidents representing the PUK include Mam Jalal (Jalal Talabani), Dr Fuad Masum, Dr Barham Ahmed Salih and Dr Abdullatif Jamal Rashid.

The constitutional deadline for electing the Iraqi president expired on 29 January 2026 and the presidency must be elected this week or Iraq will enter a legal vacuum,.

The ruling State Administration Coalition was formed following the October 2021 parliamentary elections and the subsequent withdrawal of the Sadr Movement from the Iraqi parliament. The coalition comprises the Coordination Framework representing Shiite forces, the Sovereignty Alliance representing Sunni parties, and the two main political parties in the Kurdistan Region, the PUK and the KDP.

The coalition’s primary objective has been to end the political deadlock that emerged after the elections and to facilitate the formation of a new government in Iraq.



PUKMEDIA