By Surkew Mohammed
Barzani’s recent visit to Baghdad highlighted the issues between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The newly-appointed prime minister just removed PUK’s candidate for the position of the justice ministry, although it was to be voted on soon by parliament.
PUK has not lost hope yet, however, the work seems to be far more difficult, as the leader of Fatih Alliance, Hadi al-Amiri, supports Barzani, the leader of KDP.
“Hadi al-Amiri told Adil Abdulmahdee that PUK should not have any minister, on the request of Masoud Barzani, and Adil Abdulmahdi removed Khalid Shwani’s name in the list,” a high-ranking source told Peregraf.
Parliament was expected to vote on the new ministers yesterday, but such changes forced it to postpone the session to the next week.
Barzani insisted on removing PUK’s candidate on the list, according to the source, saying PUK “has had its share”. PUK’s share has been the presidency of Iraq. The source said Barzani agreed to assign Shwani to the position of justice ministry before the visit, but then his mind changed, “The reason is not clear.”
PUK has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Shia parties in Iraq so far, but as the sources told Peregraf, Hadi al-Amiri, and even Haidar al-Abadi, have swayed away from the party and moved closer to KDP.
PUK channels its efforts to take the ministry of justice through president Barham Salih.
PUK has threatened to withdraw from Baghdad if the post was not given, although Salih promised to exert utmost efforts to obtain the position.
A source from PUK said, “PUK is insistent on taking a ministry, especially after Barzani’s pressure on the Shias to remove PUK in the cabinet.”
PUK believes if KDP could succeed in the move, they might take Kirkuk governor from PUK as well.
Among 14 ministers in Baghdad, Kurds have two, both from KDP, the remaining eight ministerial positions are yet to be filled. KDP has secured the third position and is inclined to give the fouth ministry to Gorran rather than KDP.
Shia and Sunni parties have their own intra-party rivalry on the ministerial positions, the Sunnis for the ministry of defence, and Shia on the ministry of interior.
PM Abdulmahdi has no parliamentary bloc to defend him, who is not known to be patient and often called someone who “has the resignation letter in his purse”. Now he is under pressure from all sides.
Adil Abdulmahdee is under the pressure of the Kurds, the Shias and the Sunnis for the compliment of his new cabinet. Photograph: Surkew Mohammed-Peregaf
KDP wants to return strongly to Baghdad, and the first step was Barzani’s visit to Baghdad last week, since the independence referendum and federal raid of late last year. However, Barzani is not in good terms with the president of Iraq, which is a PUK member. Indeed, the whole issue started with his election for the presidency.
The president of Iraq left the country before Barzani visited Baghdad. Peregraf said previously that Barzani would not visit Salih even if he would stay in Baghdad. Barzani had a message to Iraqi leaders in his visit that, “They do not consider Salih to be the representative of the Kurdistan region.”
Salih’s election for the presidency came following firm rivalry between KDP and PUK over the position. KDP and Salih has no longer any connection due to the step.
Now, the row is emerging again over a ministry, and the rivalry is once again led by Salih.
Although Salih is a president now, KDP has not recognized the fact yet. Salih, in exchange, has not visited Erbil or Duhok, where KDP is strong, fearing that KDP may not welcome him.