Agreements Are On The Horizon To Resolve The Presidential Issue.
Negotiations to choose the president of the republic remain a central focus of the Iraqi political scene, given the approaching constitutional deadlines and the limited time available. Dialogues continue between the two main Kurdish parties, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, amid adherence to the political norms adopted since 2005, in parallel with initial indications that may open the door to an understanding that ends the current stalemate.
In this context, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid met on Tuesday with Mohsen al-Mandalawi, head of the Al-Asas Coalition, to discuss political developments and ways to complete constitutional requirements within the established timeframes. During the meeting, the President emphasized the importance of unifying visions and strengthening coordination among national forces to reach political agreements that contribute to consolidating stability and supporting state institutions.
Al-Mandalawi, in turn, praised the Presidency's role in supporting the political de-escalation process, affirming his coalition's commitment to fulfilling the remaining requirements based on the principles of partnership and national consensus.
In parallel, the corridors of the Coordination Framework are witnessing escalating political activity. MP Bahaa al-Araji affirmed that the understandings between the Reconstruction and Development Coalition and the State of Law Coalition stem from the principle of complementary roles within the Coordination Framework, serving the requirements of the current phase.
Al-Araji indicated that supporting Nouri al-Maliki's candidacy aligns with the slogan "Iraq First," emphasizing that the priority today must be achieving progress and transcending the logic of procrastination and unproductive political competition.
Regarding the presidency, MP Sarwa Mohammed Rashid, from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc, told Al-Sabah newspaper that political negotiations are still ongoing within the party and with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), in coordination with other political forces. She stressed adherence to the political convention that allocates the presidency to the PUK.
She clarified that this entitlement is not based on narrow partisan considerations, but rather on political understandings that have contributed to maintaining national balance and political stability in previous phases.
Rashid added that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has finalized its choice to nominate Nizar Amidi for the presidency, noting his extensive political experience and active presence in Baghdad, as well as his ability to manage the position as a symbol of national unity, a guarantor of constitutional implementation, and a servant of all components of the Iraqi people without exception.
In contrast, Abdul Salam Barwari, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), told Al-Sabah newspaper that "there is no definitive new development yet," but there are positive indicators that can be built upon.
He explained that KDP leader Masoud Barzani has presented two main options: the first is to agree on a single candidate from both parties and present him in Baghdad, while the second is to leave the decision to the Kurdish blocs within the Council of Representatives, as happened in the election of former President Fuad Masoum.
Barwari predicted that the outlines of an agreement will become clear within the next week, especially given the link between this issue and the reactivation of the Kurdistan Region Parliament and the formation of the local government.
For her part, political researcher Zahraa Al-Saadi believes that the issue of choosing the president of the republic is one of the most complex issues in the current political stage, warning that the continuation of the Kurdish dispute may keep the position under time pressure and open the door to national interventions to find a consensus formula that enjoys broad acceptance, in order to ensure that the political process is not disrupted and to maintain institutional stability in the country. https://alsabaah.iq/126439-.html
