PUK sets the most prominent conditions for Kurds to agree to a new head of the Iraqi government

Shafaq News / Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc stressed on Thursday the need for the new candidate for the post of Prime Minister to take into account the constitutional rights of the Kurds, and to follow a clear approach in dealing with Kurdistan.

"The most prominent conditions for the Kurdish political forces to agree to the new prime minister are respect for the constitutional rights of the Kurdish people within the Iraqi people, and for there to be a clear policy between Baghdad and Erbil," said party deputy Rebwar Karim to Shafaq News.

He explained that "the new prime minister must be an honest person and give priority to getting Iraq out of great corruption," stressing that "any prime minister is not passed except with the approval of the Kurdish and even Sunni political forces, despite the right to choose between the Shiite forces."

Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi announced his withdrawal from the formation of the transitional government on Sunday after Parliament failed for the second time in a row to hold an extraordinary session to give confidence to his government.

The President of the Republic, Barham Ahmed Salah agreed to Allawi's withdrawal, announcing the start of his consultations to choose an alternative candidate within a period of 15 days within the scope of his responsibilities according to the permanent Iraqi constitution.

Iraq is still without a government since the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, which he submitted under pressure from the supreme authority of the Shiites represented by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and after the escalation of violence against protesters.

Allawi was supported by two of the largest Shiite blocs in Iraq, namely, "Towards Reform" coalition called by the leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada al-Sadr, and "Al-Fatah" coalition led by the Secretary General of Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri.

Most of the Kurdish and Sunni political forces, in addition to the popular movement in the central and southern regions of Iraq, expressed their opposition to Muhammad Allawi assuming the presidency of the transitional government.

Thee leader of the movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, and after Allawi’s apology for assigning him, issued a position in which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the failure of the parliament to give confidence to the transitional government, accusing what he called the "corrupted group"   controlling the fate of Iraq.

The capital, Baghdad, and the predominantly Shiite areas in the center and south of the country have been witnessing since early October of 2019 protests calling for the removal of the ruling political parties and forces accused by the demonstrators of corruption and association with external parties, as well as the holding of early elections.