KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani arrives in Baghdad to discuss Iraq gov’t, presidency
Barzani, who is deputy president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), met with Haider al-Abadi, the incumbent prime minister of Iraq, Shiite cleric Ammar al-Hakim, head of the Hikma Front, and Nouri al-Maliki, former Iraqi prime minister and head of State of Law.
Barzani and Maliki discussed candidates for the presidency, the State of Law leader's office said in statement.
Maliki stressed the need for political stability to provide services.
During his whirlwind visit, Barzani also met with Ataa Movement founder and former National Security Advisor Falih Alfayyadh, Iraqi National Accord founder Ayad Allawi, and Fatih Alliance leader Hadi al-Amiri.
The KDP plans to field its own candidate for the Iraqi presidency – a largely ceremonial post traditionally held by a Kurd – after refusing to endorse the nomination of Barham Salih by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
Although the deadline for candidates to submit their nomination for the presidency is Sunday at 3 p.m., “that does not necessarily mean the president will be voted for on Tuesday,” Bashir Haddad, the KDP second deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, hinted on Saturday.
“The constitutional timeline allows a president to be elected until October 3,” he said.
Months after Iraq’s May 12 parliamentary election, the country is still without a new government.
Last updated 11.31 p.m.