SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — The Iraqi federal government and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should be formed before the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) can hold its much-delayed congress, according to letters some party officials have sent the politburo.
“We should be completely prepared. We can’t hold a congress that causes more divisions in the party,” Mustafa Chawrash, a PUK leadership member said.
The death of party leader Jalal Talabani in 2017, Iraqi and Kurdistan Region parliament elections, and long-time members leaving and rejoining the party have contributed to the delay.
“Everyone including our members knows the congress has been delayed because of internal problems. The congress should elect the party’s new leadership. Some young people and new cadres have prepared themselves to assume power in this congress. That is why this congress is very important.”
There has been speculation that Hero Ibrahim, the widow of Jalal Talabani, could be the successor.
“I have spoken to Mrs Hero. She will not run again. I don’t intend to run again either. I want to create an opportunity for someone else,” said Chawrash.
After Barham Salih formed the Coalition for Democracy and Justice then rejoined the PUK to become Iraqi president, it is also thought he could be a candidate.
“I don’t know whether he will take part in the congress,” said Chawrash.
The reason behind Ibrahim not running again is not only her health, but due to her eldest son Bafel Talabani being seen by PUK leadership as the man who can lead the party.
“Recently, Bafel Talabani showed his strength. He succeeded in reconciling with Kosrat Rasul and bringing Barham Salih back to the party – two complex issues. That is why Hero is certain Bafel is now ready to take the throne,” a PUK official said.
The PUK has held only three congresses since its foundation in June 1975. The party suffered many internal setbacks in recent years, notably the breaking away of Nawshirwan Mustafa who formed the Change Movement (Gorran) in 2009.
“A request has been made for the congress to be held, and this question should be settled in the next leadership meeting,” said Narmin Othman, a PUK leader who supports holding the congress.
She explained that history demonstrates last-minute deals are possible.
“They might change their mind. In the past, there were party members who said they will not run,” said Othman.
On January 1, 2018, the PUK leadership said it would hold its fourth congress on March 5, 2018. But party members didn’t reach a consensus on the date. Ibrahim then wrote a letter to Rasul on February 23, 2018, calling on him to arrange for a party leadership meeting to fix a date for the congress.
“I hope you execute your responsibilities as entrusted to do so, so your name does not enter the history books as the dissolver of the PUK,” she had written.
On October 10, 2013, the PUK held a plenum in their Qalachwalan retreat. It lasted less than an hour. The mandate of the party leadership was extended and January 31, 2014, was set as the date for the fourth congress.
“There are still different viewpoints on selecting congressional members as well as the way to run the PUK. The PUK is no longer in danger of dissolution. Much preparation has been made, but differences of opinion in this regard remain,” said a PUK leadership member who didn’t want to be named.
Some officials want the positions of secretary general and deputy secretary general to be removed.
“They think the next PUK leader should run the party in cooperation with the party’s management body. That is, they think the new party leader should not have all the powers [Jalal] Talabani had. They think a parliament-like council should be formed to run the party…” the PUK official said. “Other party officials think the congress should elect the new party leadership and the new leadership should elect a secretary general and a deputy.”
The source doesn’t see the congress taking place until March or June of 2019.
The latest political infighting started when the head of PUK politburo’s executive body, Mala Bakhtiar, became upset by the nomination of Barham Salih for the Iraqi presidency. Chawrash said he visited him twice at home recently and asked him to return to his post.
“He is a dedicated party leader. Kosrat has contacted him several times too. But he hasn’t made up his mind to return yet,” Chawrash said.
