KDP leader assures candidate for Iraqi presidency 'more than capable'

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The leader of the of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, on Monday expressed his support for Fuad Hussein as his party’s candidate for the post of Iraqi president.

“We wanted for all entities in the Kurdistan Region to agree on a single candidate, but unfortunately this did not happen,” began Barzani, according to a statement his office released.

“Because of his capabilities and expertise” and his belief in him, Barzani chose to nominate Dr. Fuad Hussein as the candidate for the post. Barzani was picked by the KDP politburo to make the decision.

The Kurdish leader stated he was “confident in Hussein‘s ability to serve the people of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.” 

Eight Kurdish candidates are competing for the Iraqi presidency, which has traditionally been held by the Kurds following the fall of the former Baathist regime.

The two leading parties of the Kurdistan Region in the national May 12 election – the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) – were encouraged to reach a deal and present only one candidate they both agreed on. However, if they fail to do so prior to the parliamentary session which will decide on the matter, the two parties and their candidates will have to vie for votes.

On Wednesday, the PUK stated their party, by majority vote, was nominating Barham Salih as their preferred choice.

Concurrent with reports of the KDP’s nomination on Sunday, the deputy leader of the party, Nechirvan Barzani, traveled to Baghdad and met with heads of major Shia parties to discuss the formation of government and the Iraqi presidency.

The following day, a PUK delegation spearheaded by Salih went to Baghdad to host similar meetings and to attempt to garner support.

Editing by Nadia Riva