PEREGRAF
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) Political Bureau has been meeting over the past two days to determine a reserve candidate for the Iraqi presidency, but Iran has prevented the effort, insisting that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) accept the PUK’s first choice.
“Most of the political bureau agreed that Barham Salih would remain a PUK candidate, but another candidate would be presented as a reserve in order to keep the door open for the sake of an agreement with the KDP," a senior source told the Peregraf, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
"In the final moments of the last two meetings of the PUK's Political Bureau, the Iranians intervened and prevented the PUK from running a reserve, insisting that Barham Salih be the party's only candidate," the source added.
"The only way for a KDP agreement is to accept Barham Salih," they said of the Iranian attitude.
The PUK and the KDP are currently locked in a fierce battle for the presidency, which has historically been held by the former. The KDP’s initial candidate for the post, Hoshyar Zebari, was eliminated from contention following a court ruling that failing a no-confidence vote while he was a cabinet minister rendered him ineligible to run.
The KDP has since put forward another candidate, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Minister of Interior and Barzani loyalist Rebar Ahmed.
Last month, Iranian Quds Force commander Ismail Qaaniattempted to mediate between the two parties but failed to achieve a tangible result.
Salih has been president since 2018 when the PUK coaxed him back into the party after he earlier split and founded his own group. His return enabled them to fend off the KDP’s attempt to win the presidency that year.
Nevertheless, Salih has little support among the PUK grassroots and is viewed skeptically by party officials because of his earlier split.
Iran is opposed to the formation of a so-called majoritarian government comprised of the Sadrists, the KDP, and the Sunni bloc, which would freeze out many of its allies in Baghdad.