Some took to the social media platform to call Salih out for perceived opportunism, noting he had just recently been campaigning against PUK and KDP corruption:
Last election @BarhamSalih with his not even 1 year old party CDJ, campaigned against PUK/KDP as being corrupt. But when ppl didn't fall for this farce in last election and you as a vein politician need a party to put you in power - principles don't matter, perfect man for #Iraq
— Peri-Khan Aqrawi-Whitcomb (@Perixan7) September 19, 2018
@BarhamSalih should be ashamed of himself. Only 5 months ago, he publicly and strongly denied rejoining PUK even if they offer him Iraqi presidency. Many senior members of other parties split to join his party, now he left them all. This tells you enough about the guy.
— Abdulla Hawez (@abdullahawez) September 19, 2018
Could not tweet something better than this. He might become a ceremonial president of Iraq but he lost true power, faith, and his future among people of #Kurdistan. I am so disappointed in him #BarhamSalih https://t.co/wE27p69q7Z
— Hemn Merany (@HemnMerany) September 19, 2018
Salih, a former senior leadership member of the PUK, left the party last year and formed the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) with an anti-corruption pledge of “real change and reform.”
The party secured two seats in the Iraqi parliamentary election in May but withdrew from the race for the Kurdistan Region parliament, citing concerns about the accuracy of the voter list.
With his party on the decline, some Twitter users reasoned Salih had made a pragmatic decision and his experience will benefit Kurds in Baghdad:
In all fairness to Barham, May elections showed his party has no prospects. His presence is needed on national and international stage instead of being the head of a small regional opposition party. Perhaps, it has to be seen whether his sacrifice of principles was well worth it. https://t.co/Rp6LItE9Uw
— Farah Shakerkendi (@fshakarkandi) September 19, 2018
#BarhamSalih is officially nominated as the only #PUK candidate to run for the #Iraqi presidency. Barham Salih is a good decision, his diplomatic experience and democratic credentials would help navigate difficult issues between #Kurds and the central government of #Baghdad.
— Sheelan (@This_is_Sheelan) September 19, 2018
Dr. @BarhamSalih is the sole statesman in Iraq, he has political and diplomatic experience, is gifted with bedrock principle, a moral compass, a vision and most important of all the ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision. Dr. Barham will unite and rebuilding Iraq.
— Pshtiwan (@Pshtiwanfarag) September 19, 2018
While many Kurds have expressed disappointment ranging to anger over Salih’s political maneuvering, voices out of the rest of Iraq are more hopeful:
@BarhamSalih is an honest Iraqi who can genuinely represent the country with all its colorful mix. That is what makes Iraq beautiful. We wish him all the best.
— Iraq_Youth_Dev (@youthdeviraq) September 19, 2018
Some speculate that Salih will secure the support of two-thirds of the parliament that is needed to elect the president, garnering votes from non-Kurdish MPs:
@BarhamSalih will get more than enough votes in the parliament. He is a popular figure among non Kurdish MPs.
— Hiwa Afandi (@HiwaAfandi) September 19, 2018
Salih, a known figure internationally from his time as deputy prime minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2009 and prime minister of the Kurdistan Region from 2001 to 2004, could also get backing from international allies, others mused:
PUK Leadership Council voted in favor of @BarhamSalih for the Iraqi Presidency, Salih will rejoin the #PUK. The #KDP remains the main & the ONLY obstacle for Salih to become next Iraqi Republic President. Salih is well received in Iraq, & endorsed by US & #Iran. #Iraq #KRG
— Kamal Chomani (@KamalChomani) September 19, 2018
The post of president of Iraq has been allocated to the Kurds as part of power-sharing in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. An agreement between the PUK and the KDP has given the position to the PUK with the KDP taking the presidency of the Kurdistan Region. This time around, however, KDP has said they will nominate a candidate of their own for the Iraqi presidency.
With all the political jostling in Baghdad and Erbil, this Twitter user summed things up:
They have more character plot twists than WWE https://t.co/CKGP57j3Qf
— San Zewar (@sanzewar) September 19, 2018
Hopefully Iraqi government formation won’t get as physical as the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).
