Masoud Barzani Slams 'Unacceptable' Push for Presidential Vote Amid Prime Minister Deadlock

Peregraf - Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), sharply criticized political factions pushing ahead with Iraq's presidential election while delaying agreement on a prime minister, calling the approach "unacceptable."

In a post on X, Barzani said: "The insistence of some factions within the Coordination Framework on proceeding with the election of the President of the Republic, while others continue to avoid settling on a candidate for the prime minister's position, is unacceptable. We categorically affirm that no constitutional entitlement should proceed before this matter is resolved simultaneously, in a way that guarantees the attendance and participation of all parties in the upcoming session of the Council of Representatives."

Barzani's remarks come as Iraq faces a deepening political deadlock ahead of Saturday's parliamentary session to elect the President of the Republic. The dispute now extends beyond the presidency to the formation of the next government, with ongoing divisions within the Coordination Framework over the prime ministerial candidate.

The KDP has formally expressed disapproval of the agenda for Saturday's Iraqi parliament session designated to elect the President of the Republic, underscoring deepening political divisions just one day before the scheduled vote.

In a statement, Farhad Atrushi, Second Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives and a senior official of the KDP, said the party rejects the session's agenda due to the absence of "national and political consensus" on key electoral milestones. He emphasized that the presidency represents national unity and the protection of the constitution, warning against attempts to impose a candidate without broad agreement.

Atrushi also pointed to unresolved disagreements over the nomination of the next prime minister, stressing the KDP's right to be informed and to have a role in that process.

The presidency — traditionally held by a Kurdish figure — remains contested between the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), with no agreement on a unified candidate.

Despite the KDP's stance, the PUK has signaled confidence. Dilan Ghafour, a PUK member of parliament, told Peregraf that her party will attend the session and remains optimistic about securing the presidency.

More than 230 lawmakers have signed a request to proceed with the vote, while Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi has urged attendance, warning that absentees will be publicly named.