Iraqi PM to discuss with Kurdish members in Kirkuk Council forming the Governorate’s administration, 3 AUGUST

 According to a reliable source, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani will meet with Kurdish bloc members in the Kirkuk Provincial Council on Friday.

“They will address several issues, including the formation of the provincial administration and power-sharing, with a focus on finalizing the formation of the Kirkuk provincial administration, appointing a candidate for the governorship, and selecting a council president, as well as establishing a consensus administration involving all winning blocs,” the source explained. “The Kurdish bloc, represented by the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) and its five members, is set to meet with the Prime Minister in Baghdad

“The meeting is crucial as the PUK is a key player in the formation process of the Kirkuk administration, demanding the governorship due to its status as the bloc with the most seats,” the source emphasized.

Strikingly, Kirkuk stays the main Governorate where the organization has not been framed, and positions have not been settled since the decisions.”

Ahmad Ramzi, a member of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, made the announcement earlier on Friday that progress had been made toward forming the government within the allotted amount of time, particularly in light of the resolution of the Diyala crisis and the appointment of its governor and council head.

“In the coming hours and days, Kirkuk will see a breakthrough and alignment of viewpoints among political blocs,” Ramzi stated. This comes after Diyala’s governor and council president were elected and a consensus was reached.

Rakan Saeed al-Jubouri, who was relieved of his governorship due to reaching retirement age but returned to council membership as its oldest member, presided over the first session of the Kirkuk Provincial Council on July 11. The session did not resolve the positions of council president and governor, leaving them pending political agreements, despite the participation of 16 members—five from the PUK, two from the KDP, six from the Arab bloc representing sovereignty, leadership, and Arab alliance parties, two from the Turkmen Front, and one Christian representative.