PUK seeks normalization of relations with its defectors

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A high-level delegation from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) visited the headquarters of its two main rivals in Sulaimani governorate in efforts to normalize relations.

Relations deteriorated between the PUK and the Gorran (Change) Movement and the Coalition for Democracy and Justice (CDJ) after both parties accused the PUK of fraud in the parliamentary elections in Sulaimani Province.

On Monday, a PUK delegation headed by Bafel Talabani, son of late PUK leader Jalal Talabani, met with Gorran officials after visiting Nawshirwan Mustafa’s tomb to pay respect to the party’s late leader at the Zargata Hill in Sulaimani.

Hakim Qadir, executive head of the PUK’s political bureau, who was a member of the delegation, told reporters following the meeting that the purpose was meant to discuss a PUK roadmap and restore bilateral relations with Gorran.

He added that the meeting was a serious step toward normalizing relations with the Movement and that the meetings would continue.

Gorran was founded in 2009 by former Deputy Head of the PUK, Nawshirwan Mustafa, to investigate allegations of corruption and nepotism within the PUK.

On May 12, following the announcement of the initial results of the parliamentary elections, the Gorran Movement’s headquarters came under attack after it accused the PUK of elections fraud. Since then, relations deteriorated between the two parties.

During the occasion of Eid al-Adha last week, the PUK officially apologized for the attack on Gorran headquarters, stating the attack was out of the party’s line of responsibility.  

The PUK delegation also visited the CDJ headquarters in Sulaimani, welcoming the party’s leader and former PUK official Barham Salih.

Salih, another Deputy Head of the PUK, resigned from the party in 2017 and declared the formation of CDJ in 2018 which won two seats in the recent Iraqi elections and will participate in the upcoming Kurdistan parliamentary elections in late September.

In a press conference following the meeting, he applauded the PUK’s initiative to visit the political parties, noting that such meetings between the political parties are important to enhance unity among parties in the Kurdistan Region.

Salih said he hopes the visit leads to further strengthening of ties between the political parties.

Qadir told reporters the visit was meant to normalize relations with the political parties as well as to maintain unity among the parties.

He highlighted the importance of Kurdish parties going to Baghdad as a united bloc to defend the rights of the people of Kurdistan, noting that this is the best option for Kurds.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany