Summary
Iraq's parliament has delayed the election of the country's next president. The delay allows the two main Kurdish political parties time to agree on a candidate. This decision comes amid ongoing negotiations and international interest in the outcome.
Key Facts
- Iraq's parliament postponed the presidential election to allow Kurdish parties to agree on a candidate.
- The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) requested the delay.
- Iraq's political system allocates the presidency to a Kurdish candidate, typically from the PUK.
- This time, the KDP proposed Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein as their candidate.
- The new president needs approval from both Shia and Sunni parliament blocs.
- The elected president will have 15 days to appoint a prime minister, with former PM Nouri al-Maliki likely to return.
- Al-Maliki was previously Iraq's prime minister from 2006 to 2014 and is seen as having close ties to Iran.
- The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia parties, supports al-Maliki’s candidacy.
