PM:07:26:05/01/2026
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The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have not reached an agreement on a joint candidate for the Iraqi presidency, despite intensive discussions in the final hours before the deadline for candidate registration.
NRT has learned that negotiations between the two parties continued until the last 24 hours before the deadline, but ended without consensus on a unified nominee.
The KDP has decided to nominate Fuad Hussein for the presidency. It remains unclear whether this decision is intended to pressure the PUK into accepting KDP demands or reflects the party’s effort to secure the Iraqi presidency independently.
It is also unclear whether the PUK and KDP will proceed with separate candidates or return to talks over a possible compromise figure, including Mullah Bakhtiar or current President Latif Rashid, should the two sides reach an agreement.
Political observers say the presidential race could become a key factor in the formation of the next Iraqi government and may further deepen political divisions if no consensus is achieved.