Shiite Bloc Backs PUK Candidate for Iraqi Presidency as Barzani Calls for New Selection Mechanism

Peregraf — A senior source within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Baghdad revealed that the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework has given a political "green light" to Bafel Talabani, President of the PUK, signaling its readiness to vote for the PUK’s nominee for the post of President of the Republic of Iraq.

The source told Peregraf that Shiite leaders have also conveyed a clear message to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), urging it to reach an agreement with the PUK. Otherwise, the Shiite bloc will proceed with supporting the PUK candidate. According to the source, the Shiite parties stressed the need to maintain political balance, arguing that it is untenable for the KDP to retain the presidency of the Kurdistan Region, the premiership, and key ministerial portfolios in the regional government, while the PUK is excluded from the federal presidency in Baghdad.

This development comes amid continued political rigidity by the KDP, which has refused to compromise on its positions within the Kurdistan Region. The party is also backing a candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, scheduled to be elected during today’s parliamentary session. At the same time, the KDP maintains that the presidency issue should be resolved through Kurdish consensus and insists that the nominee does not necessarily have to come from either the KDP or the PUK.

In this context, KDP President Masoud Barzani on Sunday called for a unified Kurdish approach to the position of President of the Republic, emphasizing that the post is a constitutional entitlement of the Kurds and should not be treated as the exclusive property of any single party.

In a statement, Barzani stressed that all Kurdish parties must be convinced that the presidency belongs to the Kurdish people as a whole, and that the mechanism for selecting the president must be revised so the officeholder genuinely represents Kurdistan. He underlined that no party should consider the position a private monopoly.

Barzani proposed several possible mechanisms to ensure Kurdish consensus, including the Kurdistan Parliament nominating a single candidate, a joint meeting of all Kurdish parties to agree on a nominee, or Kurdish blocs and lawmakers in the Iraqi Council of Representatives selecting a candidate. He also noted that the president does not necessarily have to be from the KDP or the PUK, suggesting that the nominee could come from another party or be an independent figure, provided they enjoy broad Kurdish support.

Barzani’s remarks coincided with the first session of the newly elected Iraqi Parliament, during which a Speaker and two deputies are to be chosen. The speakership is traditionally allocated to the Sunni component, with Sunni parties holding intensive consultations to present a unified candidate ahead of the vote.

According to the Iraqi constitution, Parliament must elect the President of the Republic within 30 days of choosing the Speaker, requiring a two-thirds majority of 220 votes. The elected president then has 15 days to designate a prime minister, who is given up to 90 days to form a cabinet and seek parliamentary confidence.

Final election results show that the Construction and Development Coalition, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, emerged as the largest bloc with 46 seats, followed by the State of Law Coalition with 29 seats. Taqaddum and the KDP each won 27 seats, while the PUK secured 18 seats.

Meanwhile, the Shiite Coordination Framework has announced that it has formed the largest parliamentary bloc and reaffirmed its intention to nominate the next prime minister, stressing its commitment to constitutional timelines.

On the Kurdish front, the KDP and PUK have yet to reach a unified position in Baghdad, particularly regarding the presidency, a post traditionally held by a Kurd. Iraqi political forces have repeatedly urged both parties to resolve their differences, warning that continued division could further complicate the next phase of government formation.