A statement from the spokesman for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)

The statement issued on Sunday, January 23, 2022 by the Leadership Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on the political situation and the president of the Federal Republic of Iraq is misleading and inappropriate. Therefore, we believe that the public opinion of Kurdistan should be informed of the truth to the matter. Following the announcement of the results of last October's parliamentary elections, on the recommendation of His Excellency President Masoud Barzani, a delegation from the KDP’s political bureau visited all Kurdish parties to develop a common stance, unify Kurdish parties to form a joint delegation to Baghdad and meet the legitimate demands of the Kurdistani people. 

 

On that basis, the meeting between the two political bureaus of PUK and KDP was held, where President Barzani welcomed Bafl Talabani, co - president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The aim of the meeting was to prepare the Kurdistani agenda for a common vision of Iraq's future, the demands of the Kurdistani people and the ongoing political process.

 

We intended to form a joint delegation of all political parties in Kurdistan in order to achieve unity, but unfortunately it did not succeed. This is why a joint delegation from the KDP and PUK, led by Emad Ahmed, a member of the PUK's political bureau visited Baghdad and held a series of meetings with Iraqi parties to discuss the political process. But unfortunately, it became clear to us that the representatives from the participating party had no clear views and were unable to decide on responses. In addition, he withdrew from the joint delegation without informing the KDP.

 

Regarding the first session of the Iraqi House of Representatives, which was necessary for all sides to abide by the constitutional steps. The Patriotic Union faction, with the presence of all Kurdish factions, left a special session on the election of the Presidency of the Iraqi House of Representatives. This was the first step by the PUK faction to disunify the unity of Kurdistani parties in the Iraqi House of Representatives. 

Regarding the issue of the President the Republic of Iraq, we reiterate that the post is the merit of the Kurdistani people and is not the property of a particular party or an individual.

According to that principle, only one candidate should be selected who has the approval and support of all Kurdistani parties. However, the PUK continued on insisting to nominate a Kurdish candidate, which is outside the approval of other Kurdistani political parties for the post of president. They view it as a party entitlement rather than a national unified candidate. 

 

The PUK should have acted more carefully on the issue of the president and the unity of Kurdistan, and should take responsibility for the current and subsequent situation.

 

Mahmoud Muhammad

Spokesman, Kurdistan Democratic Party

January 24, 2022