Peregraf — The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has officially announced its nominee for the position of President of Iraq, as the nomination deadline approaches.
Karwan Gazneyi, the official spokesperson for the PUK, said today that “Nizar Amedi is the sole official candidate of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for the position of the President of Iraq.”
Nizar Amedi previously served as Iraq’s Minister of Environment and is known as a close associate of the late Jalal Talabani (Mam Jalal), the former President of Iraq. Since 2003, Amedi has been based in Baghdad and is regarded as a trusted confidant of Mam Jalal’s family, according to informed sources.
The announcement comes as more than 40 individuals have submitted their candidacies for the presidency, with the final deadline set for tomorrow at the end of official working hours. Until recently, neither the PUK nor the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) had officially revealed their nominees, fueling speculation over continued divisions within the Kurdish political landscape.
Under Iraq’s post-2003 power-sharing arrangement, the presidency is traditionally allocated to the Kurds and is commonly viewed within Kurdish politics as the PUK’s share. Despite this convention, follow-ups by Peregraf indicate that several candidates from outside the Kurdish parties, including Arab candidates, have entered the race. Some applicants are former members of the KDP or PUK, while others are independents, though political observers believe their chances of winning remain limited.
While the PUK has now formally named its candidate, the KDP has yet to announce its position, leaving open the possibility that Kurdish parties may enter the race with more than one nominee if no last-minute agreement is reached.
The renewed dispute comes amid recent tensions between the KDP and PUK over another senior federal position—the Second Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament—also considered part of the Kurdish share. That contest extended to three rounds of voting. In the first and second rounds, the PUK withheld support from the KDP’s nominee, allowing a rival candidate to advance. In the third round, after the KDP replaced its candidate, the PUK shifted its support to the new nominee, who ultimately secured the post.
According to the Iraqi constitution and relevant laws, presidential candidates must meet strict criteria, including being born in Iraq to Iraqi parents, enjoying full legal capacity, and being at least 40 years old. Candidates must also have a good reputation, be known for integrity and loyalty to the country, hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, and have no convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude. In addition, nominees must not be subject to the Accountability and Justice Law.
Following the first session of the new Iraqi Parliament and the election of its leadership—completed recently—the constitution requires the election of the President of the Republic within 30 days, marking a key step in completing the formation of Iraq’s new federal authorities.
Once elected, the president will have 15 days to designate a prime ministerial candidate, typically from the largest parliamentary bloc, to form the government. The designated prime minister will then have 30 days to present the cabinet lineup and government program to parliament and seek a vote of confidence.