PUK seeks to join ‘broad based’ Kurdistan Regional Government

Kurdistan Tribune – 29-10-2013 – At a meeting today the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politburo agreed in principle to participate in the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Following the party’s big electoral setback in last month’s general election, it is reported that most politburo members present were in favour of the formation of a broad-based coalition government, within which Gorran  – now the second biggest party in parliament – would play a part.

The PUK leadership also unanimously agreed not to make any changes in its current ministerial positions in the seventh KRG, as it has only a month left, KT understands. According to the party’s press release: ”The question of joining a coalition government; enforcing the set of decisions that were taken during the plenum earlier this month;  as well as formation of a committee to undertake the preparation for the party’s upcoming conference were the main topics of today’s meeting”.

The discussions are expected to continue tomorrow and it’s anticipated that the PUK leadership will reveal more details of the party’s plan to join the eighth Kurdistan Regional Government.

The process of discussions between parties about the composition of the next government is expected be completed by the end of next week. During today’s meeting the resignations of several senior PUK officials were announced, while others were appointed to fill their posts. Head of the Garmyan office Mahmoud Sangawi has been replaced by Shalaw Askari; Rizgar Ali has been appointed as head of the Hawler office; Jamil Hawramy has been appointed as head of the Sharazur office; and Latif Omer is filling the position of head of the Slemani office, which was held by Iraq’s first lady, Hero Ibrahim Ahmed, until the recent elections. The PUK’s official spokesman Azad Jindyani has also resigned. Further changes are expected over the coming days and weeks.