Baghdad: Newspapers in Baghdad on Thursday highlighted the ongoing developments surrounding Iraq’s presidential election process, focusing on the political efforts aimed at expediting its resolution.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the newspaper Al-Sabah, published by the Iraqi Media Network, reported that the election of the president is a central issue in the political landscape, with heightened dialogues between the two main Kurdish parties. It was noted that a candidate’s name might be finalized soon following significant understandings reached in a meeting between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

PUK leader Mahmoud Khoshnaw emphasized the importance of the recent meeting, describing it as significant and held in a constructive political atmosphere. He indicated that further discussions are planned, highlighting the progress made and expressing surprise at any attempts to undermine the meeting’s importance.

Al-Sabah quoted sources close to the me
eting, revealing that KDP leader Masoud Barzani and PUK leader Bafel Talabani reached a preliminary agreement to nominate Nizar Amidi for the presidency. This was part of a broader agreement on the allocation of federal and regional government positions. MP Mohammed Al-Khafaji underlined the urgency of electing the president, while MP Abbas Hayal reiterated the constitutional deadline for completing the process and noted the council’s anticipation of a unified candidate from the Kurdish parties.

Al-Zawraa, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, prominently featured the intensive political discussions aimed at expediting the presidential selection and government formation. It detailed the efforts by political figures to unify positions and pass important legislation for the Iraqi citizenry. The newspaper covered a meeting between Nouri al-Maliki and the Badr parliamentary bloc, where the importance of coordinated efforts among political forces was stressed to ensure effective governance and adherence t
o constitutional timelines.

Al-Zawraa also reported on a meeting between Sheikh Qais al-Khazali and a PUK delegation, where al-Khazali emphasized the need for dialogue and understanding to overcome challenges and support constitutional institutions. This theme was echoed in a meeting between Haider al-Abadi and Sheikh al-Khazali, where they underscored the importance of dialogue and understanding.

Additionally, Al-Zawraa reported a meeting between Ammar al-Hakim and the Reconstruction and Development Alliance to discuss political developments. Al-Hakim stressed the need to resolve presidential responsibilities following constitutional procedures, calling for the prioritization of public interest and considering internal and external challenges to foster political stability.

Al-Zaman focused on a statement by KDP leader Masoud Barzani, who highlighted the lack of agreement between the KDP and PUK on a presidential candidate. Barzani emphasized the necessity of consensus within the Kurdistan Region Parliamen
t for a supported candidate. The newspaper also noted comments from Raad al-Dahlaki of the Azm Alliance, who dismissed the notion that Kurdish disagreements were delaying the presidential election session. Al-Dahlaki pointed to broader conflicts as the obstruction, noting a history of multiple candidates and competition in parliamentary sessions.