KURDS’ CHOICE OF SALIH FOR PRESIDENT REGARDED AS ‘A MOVE TO UNITE IRAQ’
▶ Supporters say former deputy prime minister can help forge consensus between Baghdad and Kurdish region
A prominent political party in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq yesterday nominated Barham Salih for the federal presidency, taking the country one step closer to forming a government after months of stagnation.
Since 2003, power in the wartorn country has been shared among Iraq’s three largest ethnic-sectarian groups. Iraq’s prime minister is a Shiite Arab, the parliament speaker a Sunni Arab and the president a Kurd.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan selected Mr Salih – who left the party last year to form the Coalition for Democracy and Justice – as their sole candidate for the top post. He defeated Latif Rashid and Moahmmed Sabir, winning the internal election by 26 votes.
CDJ officials in August dismissed rumours that Mr Salih could move back to the PUK.
“He will do no such thing. If he does it, then it is political suicide,” Mohammed Rauf of the CDJ said, emphasising that the reasons for Mr Salih leaving the PUK in the first place had not changed.
Mr Salih, a former Kurdish prime minister, left the PUK last year to campaign against corruption, a major source of strife in Iraq and Kurdistan.
However, PUK spokesman Saadi Ahmed said Mr Salih plans to return to his former party as deputy secretary general while maintaining his place at the head of the CDJ.
The newly created CDJ fared poorly in May’s nationwide general election.
Meanwhile, the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party has yet to put forward a candidate. Two other Kurds – former Goran Movement MP Sardar Abdullah and Omar Barzinji, Iraq’s ambassador to the Vatican – are nominating themselves as independent candidates.
Experts said Mr Salih’s background will enable him to unite Iraqis.
“His diplomatic experience and democratic credentials would help navigate difficult issues between Kurds and Baghdad but also among regional players,” Asli Aydintasbas of the European Council on Foreign Relations said.
Mr Salih “can and will be a key player in bringing all Iraqis together, working to build a better future and helping the country rebuild after four difficult years”, Ranj Talabany, a PUK official said, referring to the war against ISIS.
Mr Salih founded the American University of Iraq in 2007 and is also a former Iraqi deputy prime minister.
PUK members – the late Jalal Talabani and current president Fuad Masum – held the position of Iraqi president following the removal of former dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Iraq’s parliament held its inaugural session on September 3, but it was not until 12 days later that it voted for the speaker as political blocs battled for control of chamber.
On September 15 Mohammed Al Halbousi was elected speaker.
The new president must be selected within 15 days of the speaker being chosen.
But in a turn of events on Tuesday, militia leader Haider Al Amiri withdrew his candidacy for prime minister – a move likely to cause further delays to negotiations about forming a government.
A source in Baghdad who requested anonymity said an initial agreement was struck between the dominant ruling Shiite groups to nominate former oil minister Adel Abdul Mehdi for the PM’s position.
Mr Abdul Mehdi is known to have good relations with Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish parties.
The politician appears to meet the most important requirement for the top position – an ability to achieve consensus between the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties.
Other potential candidates for prime minister are the governor of Basra, Asaad Al Eidani, and Abdul Wahab Al Saadi, a commander of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, an elite faction of the military which was important in the battle against ISIS.