Kirkuk Parties have 30 Days to Form Local Administration

Kurdistan 07:37 PM - 2024-07-13

Kirkuk Provincial Council.

The winning political parties in Kirkuk are granted a period of 30 days to establish a local governing body in the province, and a member of the provincial council stated: "There was a deliberate plan to convene the inaugural session of the provincial council excluding the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction, but the parties with such intent were unable to do so."

The city administration should be formed through dialogue

Dr. Ahmad Fatih, a member of the Kirkuk provincial council from the PUK faction, told PUKMEDIA: "It is crucial to resolve the matter of establishing the local government in Kirkuk through dialogue and consensus among the winners of the provincial council elections in Iraq. The PUK faction strongly opposes any decision to form the city administration that violates the law.

"There was a deliberate plan to convene the provincial council's inaugural session without the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction, but the parties with such intent were unable to do so because the legal quorum was insufficient," he stated. 

 

The parties have 30 days

Fatih further stated: "As per the law, the parties will have a 30-day period starting from the initial council meeting to reach a decision regarding the establishment of the local administration. The revival of the provincial council will significantly enhance the quality of life for the people. The province will also see new political measures implemented."

"As the PUK, the first victor in the city and the party with the largest membership in the provincial council, we assert our entitlement to assume the position of city governor. We firmly believe that no party can make political decisions without the PUK," he stated.

Seven months later, the first meeting of the council was held

After 18 years, on December 18, 2023, the Kirkuk provincial council elections. These elections were part of the larger Iraqi provincial council elections. The PUK and the Communist Party of Kurdistan-Iraq formed the "Kirkuk is Our Strength and Will Coalition," which won the province. They received 157,639 votes, or 43% of the total vote in the province, and won five seats.  

The Kirkuk provincial council held its first meeting on July 11, 2024, more than seven months after the elections. Political parties have 30 days to establish a local administration in Kirkuk, as mandated by law. 

 

PUKMEDIA