The presidency is “hostage” to the Kurdish division… Three scenarios to break the deadlock
The presidency is “hostage” to the Kurdish division… Three scenarios to break the deadlock
2-11-2026
Information/Report…
The Iraqi political scene is witnessing an unprecedented crisis within the Kurdish political sphere, as the political deadlock between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has reached its peak regarding the presidential candidate.
With repeated mediation efforts and the National Coordination Framework failing to reach an agreement, attention is turning to three possible scenarios to break the impasse, ensure the continued functioning of the state, and protect citizens’ interests.
The Kurdish division and its implications:
The two Kurdish parties remain steadfast in their respective candidates, which has paralyzed parliamentary sessions dedicated to electing the president. Observers emphasize that this division is not merely a partisan dispute, but has become a constitutional crisis affecting all aspects of the state, as the presidency is the legal key to appointing the prime minister and, consequently, forming the new government.
Politicians warn that the continuation of this deadlock could lead to an administrative and legal vacuum, paralyzing state institutions and exacerbating economic and service-related pressures on citizens.
Emergency solutions are on the table,
and MP Amer al-Fayez, a member of the “Design” bloc and a leader in the Coordination Framework, revealed a potential emergency option that political forces might resort to: enacting a temporary law to allow the passage of vital legislation affecting citizens’ lives should the Kurdish deadlock persist.
Al-Fayez told the Al-Maalomah news agency, “This law would be similar to the Food Security Law previously passed to facilitate essential matters.”
He emphasized that “the Coordination Framework is still trying to end the division by agreeing on a single candidate or by presenting multiple candidates to Parliament to resolve the issue democratically.” Meanwhile, MP Muthanna al-Azzawi described the situation as a “serious constitutional
impasse
,” noting that “the failure to resolve the presidential issue is hindering the appointment of a prime minister, thus preventing the formation of a government and impacting the stability of the state.”
Al-Azzawi told the Al-Maalomah news agency, “The division has reached critical levels, leading to violations of constitutional deadlines, which negatively impacts public services and the economy and threatens the administrative security of the state.”
For decades, the Kurdish political landscape has been marked by tensions between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), tensions that often reverberate throughout Iraqi politics.
These partisan divisions stem from regional interests, political influence, and the distribution of key government positions, sometimes hindering the selection of the president and the formation of a government.
almaalomah.me
