Iraq's Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi arrived in Erbil on Monday, accompanied by the candidate for the prime minister post, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and Head of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Falih al-Fayyadh.
The delegation held talks with Head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masoud Barzani in a bid to reach an agreement on the disputed presidential candidate between the two main Kurdish parties, the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
The Management of State coalition urged both Kurdish parties on Sunday to either agree on a consensual candidate or set up a selection mechanism.
This means proceeding according to the 2018 scenario, when current President Barham Salih of the PUK won over his main rival, Fuad Hussein, of the KDP.
Salih considered that waiting a year after Iraq's last general election is a reminder of the political class’s failure to fulfill its constitutional tasks and duties.
He cited the wasted opportunities, which represent an incentive to unite ranks and hold inclusive national dialogue that prioritizes the country and its citizens’ interests and fulfills their right to a free and dignified life.
“It is time to end the cycle of crises and establish good governance,” Salih said.
Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, for his part, renewed his call on all political parties to engage in serious constructive dialogue to end the political deadlock.
“On October 10, 2021, we implemented the most important task in the government’s agenda. We held early legislative elections that were fair and professional, according to the United Nations and all international observers,” he stressed in a statement published by his office.
Kadhimi added that during the past two years, the government worked on a different approach based on dialogue, understanding, cooperation and partnership.
“We were calm and rational while addressing the various events and situations, despite the unfair attacks against,” the PM said, noting that this approach is aimed at maintaining calm and stability to establish a political culture that adopts democratic values and renounces violence and tyranny.
