Iraq’s parliament postpones presidential election to allow Kurdish parties more time to agree on a candidate, as US voices concern over PM nomination.
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s parliament has postponed the election of the country’s president. The official INA press agency reported the session was delayed on Tuesday without a new date being set.
Speaker Haibat al-Halbussi received requests from Iraq’s two main Kurdish parties to postpone the vote. The Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan sought more time to reach a deal on a candidate.
By convention, the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd. Under a tacit agreement, a PUK member typically holds the Iraqi presidency.
This time, the KDP has named its own candidate for the post. The party nominated Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
Once elected, the president will have 15 days to appoint a prime minister. That nominee is expected to be former premier Nouri al-Maliki.
The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties holding a parliamentary majority, endorsed Maliki on Saturday. His nomination has reportedly stoked concern in Washington.
Maliki is Iraq’s only two-term premier since the 2003 US invasion. Seen as close to Iran, he left power in 2014 following pressure from Washington.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Sunday against a pro-Iranian government in Iraq. An Iraqi source close to the Coordination Framework told AFP that Washington “holds a negative view” of Maliki’s previous governments.
In a letter, US representatives said the selection is an Iraqi decision. They added that the United States “will make its own sovereign decisions regarding the next government in line with American interests.”
Another Iraqi source confirmed the Shiite alliance had still moved forward with its choice. The alliance is confident Maliki could allay Washington’s concerns.
Iraq has long been a proxy battleground between the US and Iran. Successive governments have negotiated a delicate balance between the two foes.
Iraq’s new premier will be expected to address Washington’s demand to disarm Tehran-backed factions. Many of these factions are designated terrorist groups by the US.
