PUK’s Hero Ibrahim Ahmed wants single Kurdish candidate for Iraq presidency

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Hero Ibrahim Ahmed, widow of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and a member of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politburo, says she supports the selection of a single candidate by Kurdish MPs in Baghdad for the position of Iraqi president.

Her comments late on Sunday echo those of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani.

Both parties are currently fielding candidates: the KDP’s Fuad Hussein and the PUK’s Barham Salih.

Salih resigned from his fledgling Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) on September 19 to rejoin the PUK.

“The issue of the president of the republic candidacy is currently about to harm the unity between the PUK and the KDP, therefore I think it is better to have an agreement on one candidate for the post of Iraqi president, and that this candidate shall be appointed by the representatives of all Kurdish political forces in Baghdad,” Ahmed said in a statement. 

She also praised the alliance between the PUK and the KDP and the benefits it has brought the Region.

“The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party have always made achievements for the people of Kurdistan through unity and alliance,” Ahmed said. 

“We consider it relevant at this stage that the alliance and unity of these parties and other Kurdish parties continue so that we can preserve our achievements and play a big role in Iraq.”

Masoud Barzani said on Saturday a single candidate should be put forward for the Iraqi presidency – a role which has traditionally been held by a Kurd – and always a member of the PUK – since 2005.  

“Any individual who gains the votes of most of the Kurdistani parties’ representatives should be appointed as the candidate of Kurdistan for the president of the republic,” Barzani said.

The post of Iraqi president has harmed relations between the parties as each has fielded its own candidate for the position, failing to agree on a single candidate.

The KDP reiterated its support for Barzani’s former chief of staff, Fuad Hussein. 

Meanwhile, the PUK is holding meetings with Iraqi parties to gather support for Salih.

Top PUK officials set off for Baghdad on Sunday afternoon after casting their ballots in the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary election. The delegation is expected to meet with Iraqi parties.