An Iraqi state-run newspaper reported yesterday that 50 Iraqis nominated themselves for the post of president in the next elections.
Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim Al-Jabouri announced the acceptance of candidacy applications from those willing to compete for the post of president of the Republic of Iraq.
State-run newspaper Al-Sabah said: “The number of candidates who have applied to nominate themselves for this position have reached 50 from across all components of Iraqi society. This is an unprecedented situation as this post has always gone to the Kurdistan Alliance and to be exclusive for the National Union Party, led by current President Jalal Talabani.”
The newspaper explained: “Although the Kurds, represented by Jalal Talabani, have had this post for two consecutive terms, they are facing a dilemma over proposing a new name that would be acceptable to all Iraqi forces, with the absence of Talabani from the new candidates list. This seems to have resulted in a dilemma in choosing a new name that would be acceptable by all the Kurdish forces, making their position vague up to the minute with the presence of four candidates, each of them supported by some forces and rejected by others.”
The newspaper added: “As for Fuad Masum and Adnan Mufti, the first has health conditions that prevent him from running for this post and the second does not enjoy any support from within the leadership of the National Union except for his good relationship with Massoud Barzani, president of the province.”
Al-Sabah explained: “Amid the busy time the Kurds are having trying to choose a candidate who is appealing among the Kurdish parties, other candidates from different blocs and different components, who refuse the idea of the presidency exclusivity to only one component, considering their nomination the first step in breaking the barrier of quotas and a step on the road of having a real democratic process, away from the agreements held in closed halls and dark corridors.”
The media outlet noted that “among the 50 candidates who do not meet the political consensus terms is: candidate Hussein Al-Musawi, who had previously nominated himself to compete with Jalal Talabani in the last election in 2010; MP Fawzi Tarzi, who is close to Al-Sadri movement led by Muqtada Al-Sadr; MP for the Coalition of Iraq Shaker Ketab; and the independent MP Mehdi Al-Hafez, who works as the legislation chairman in the current Iraqi parliament.”
It is expected that the parliament will hold a session tomorrow to elect the president and two vice presidents.