Intensifying political rivalries among Kurdish factions threaten to disrupt Iraq’s presidential race, with the nomination deadline less than 24 hours away and no candidate announced by either of the two principal Kurdish parties.
After being elected by parliament, the president is required to mandate the nominee of the largest bloc to form a government within 30 days. Subsequently, parliament will vote to approve the cabinet.
By established convention, the presidency in Iraq is allocated to a Kurdish candidate, the prime ministership to a Shia, and the parliamentary speakership to a Sunni.
Several Kurdish candidates unaffiliated with the main parties have entered the race, highlighting uncertainty regarding the Kurdish bloc’s ability to unite behind a single nominee before the parliamentary vote.
According to Iraq’s constitution, the president must be elected by a two-thirds majority in parliament, equating to 220 out of 329 votes. This substantial threshold necessitates broad consensus and allows rival blocs to delay or obstruct the process.
Shwan Dawdi, a former Kurdish journalist and Iraqi lawmaker, announced his nomination as an independent candidate, referencing his constitutional rights and established political norms that allow him to run.
"I am practising a constitutional and legal right, and I have nominated myself as an independent candidate to the Iraqi president post, which has traditionally been allocated to the Kurds," Dawdi told The New Arab in a phone interview.
"The Iraqi presidency is an important position and represents a symbol of Iraq's sovereignty," he added.
Dawdi stated that persistent divisions among Kurdish parties prompted his independent candidacy following the collapse of unity negotiations. He dismissed concerns that multiple Kurdish candidates could impede the election or government formation, asserting that constitutional deadlines would ensure the process proceeds as scheduled.
Amira al-Jabr became the first woman to seek Iraq’s presidency, framing her candidacy as a direct challenge to the sectarian power-sharing system instituted after 2003. She also wished to remind people that the presidency is constitutionally accessible to both women and men.
Parliament began accepting nominations last Thursday. Eligibility criteria require candidates to be born in Iraq to Iraqi parents, be at least 40 years old, possess a degree, and maintain a clean legal record.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), under the leadership of Bafel Talabani, has not yet announced an official candidate.
The party reportedly faces internal divisions and is considering several potential nominees, including Nizar Amedi, Aso Fereydun, incumbent President Abdul Latif Rashid, and Iraqi Justice Minister Khalid Shwani.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, has likewise not finalised its nominee. Party leaders are reportedly considering Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Kurdistan Regional President Nechirvan Barzani, and KRG Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed.
Both the PUK and KDP are anticipated to commence inter-party discussions only after concluding their respective internal negotiations, reflecting persistent differences between the two parties.
Muthana Amin, leader of the Kurdistan Islamic Union’s parliamentary bloc, announced his intention to run for the presidency with backing from three Kurdish opposition blocs.
The presidency in Iraq, while largely symbolic under the 2005 constitution, comes amid political turmoil over the parliament and the selection of a prime minister.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition has won the largest number of seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections held on 11 November, but not enough to assure him a second term.