Council Member: No Decision Will Succeed in Kirkuk Without PUK

PUKMEDIA

Kirkuk Citadel.

As per the legal provisions, the parties of Kirkuk are given six days to establish a local administration. A member of the Kirkuk Provincial Council emphasised that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) holds significant influence in the city, and any political decision made without their involvement will not to be successful.

Dr. Ahmed Fatih, a member of the Kirkuk Provincial Council representing the PUK faction, stated to PUKMEDIA that while there is no formal agreement among the parties regarding the appointment of the governor and the head of the provincial council, it is impossible for any party to address political matters in the city without the involvement of the PUK. 

"The parties must establish the Kirkuk local government by the 11th of this month. Meanwhile, the PUK's attempts to convene a council meeting persist. Last week, we postponed the meeting as per the Iraqi Prime Minister's request. However, the PUK faction, Babylon, and many other members were present, indicating that the meeting might have taken place," said Fatih.

He added: “The PUK requested the Kurds to partake in the provincial council elections as a unified team, however, several Kurdish parties have declined to comply with this demand. The present state of affairs in Kirkuk is directly linked to the absence of unity among the Kurdish community.”

The provincial council elections took place on December 18, 2023, encompassing 15 provinces in Iraq. However, Kirkuk province has encountered difficulties in establishing a local administration during the last nine months. The PUK, which received the highest number of votes and won five seats, prioritises the establishment of the local government through collaboration and coexistence. However, the party considers the post of governor of the city as its election merit.



PUKMEDIA