Peregraf — Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the constitutional deadlines for electing the President of Iraq. In a written statement, Talabani noted, “We have requested that the parliamentary session to address this matter be held next Sunday.”
The statement, issued following a meeting with the British Ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hitchen, emphasized that the PUK is "directing all its efforts toward establishing a service-oriented national government that meets the aspirations of the people." These remarks underscore the party’s focus on upholding constitutional procedures while navigating Iraq’s deepening political and institutional crisis.
The delay in electing a president is tied to a growing deadlock over the Prime Minister’s office. Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki emerged as the Shiite Coordination Framework’s candidate after the incumbent, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, withdrew from consideration. However, al-Maliki’s candidacy faced an immediate challenge from U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited the candidate's historical ties to pro-Iranian factions and past governance record.
This intervention has stalled the government-formation process. Under Iraq’s political system, the President must be elected before a Prime Minister-designate can be formally tasked with forming a cabinet. Kurdish political parties remain divided on the path forward: the PUK insists on strict constitutional compliance, while the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has signaled support for al-Maliki.
The current impasse highlights the fragility of Iraq’s political system, where internal divisions and international influence threaten to miss constitutional deadlines, risking further instability for the country’s governance and economy.