Baghdad: Tuesday’s newspapers focused on the parliamentary session scheduled for today to elect the President of the Republic, describing it as a critical constitutional and political milestone.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Council of Representatives is set to hold a special session today, facing the challenge of securing the required two-thirds quorum stipulated under Article (70) of the Constitution. This vote comes amid ongoing disagreements between the two main Kurdish parties-the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)-over agreeing on a single consensus candidate for the presidency.
KDP member Daner Abdulghafour stated that his party made significant efforts to reach an agreement with the PUK to unify the Kurdish position, but a lack of flexibility prevented consensus. He noted that the KDP may nominate Fuad Hussein should the dispute continue. Meanwhile, PUK leader Mahmoud Khushnaw said his party, through its alliance with the New Generation Movement, aims to accelerate the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government, a move expected to impact the presidential election process in Baghdad.
At the same time, political blocs are engaged in behind-the-scenes talks to determine their stance on the Kurdish candidates, with expectations leaning toward a broad parliamentary consensus. MP Ahmed Salem of the State Forces bloc expressed confidence that the president will be elected in accordance with constitutional requirements, hoping for a unified Kurdish position. In turn, Issa Al-Adai of the Taqaddum Party announced that his party will vote for the PUK candidate, citing the existing alliance between the two sides.
Al-Zawraa newspaper, issued by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, reported that leaders of political forces have intensified their dialogues in an effort to finalize constitutional entitlements ahead of the parliamentary session to elect the President of the Republic and nominate a prime minister-designate. The paper noted that First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Adnan Fayhan Al-Dulaimi met with a delegation from the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc, headed by MP Baha Al-Araji, to discuss overall political developments, stressing the importance of completing constitutional processes to ensure the regular functioning of the legislature.
Al-Dulaimi emphasized the need to accelerate the formation of parliamentary committees, describing them as the backbone of parliamentary work in reviewing and approving legislation, and pointed out that current regional challenges and security threats require political cohesion and prioritizing national interests.
In a related development, State of Law Coalition leader Nouri Al-Maliki and Azm Alliance leader Muthanna Al-Samarrai underlined the importance of unifying national positions and adhering to the constitutional path, particularly the election of the President of the Republic during Tuesday’s parliamentary session, as a key step toward completing the formation of constitutional authorities.
Al-Maliki also met with a delegation from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, headed by Qubad Talabani, where discussions focused on political developments and ongoing dialogues aimed at finalizing constitutional entitlements within the set timelines, stressing the need to continue consultations to expedite government formation and enhance stability.
Meanwhile, Supreme Islamic Council leader Sheikh Hammam Hamoudi stressed, during his meeting with Taqaddum Party leader Mohammed Al-Halbousi, the necessity for all political forces to assume their responsibilities in overcoming challenges, and to complete the formation of the presidencies and the cabinet to reinforce stability amid domestic and regional developments.
In the same context, Supreme Islamic Council leader Sheikh Hammam Hamoudi stressed, during his meeting with Taqaddum Party leader Mohammed Al-Halbousi, the importance of national forces remaining close to public aspirations in order to ease concerns and strengthen confidence and stability. He called for opening new pages based on a purely national spirit, particularly amid escalating regional challenges. The meeting was attended by MP Amer Al-Fayez, head of the Tasmim Alliance.
In a separate statement, Hamoudi received Iraqi Asas Coalition leader Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, exchanging congratulations on the Coordination Framework’s success in agreeing on its prime ministerial candidate, reflecting political harmony and a responsible national approach. Discussions also covered developments in the Iraqi and regional political landscape.
Hamoudi highlighted the political experience of the Coordination Framework and its role in swiftly addressing constitutional entitlements, stressing the need for unified positions and collective support for the upcoming government’s program to maintain stability and meet public demands. Meanwhile, National State Forces Alliance leader Ammar Al-Hakim met with MP Haidar Al-Fili, representative of the Faili quota in parliament, to discuss the situation of the Faili component and the importance of resolving key legislative and executive issues related to it.
Al-Hakim affirmed that the Faili community had suffered double injustice due to its ethnic and sectarian identity, emphasizing that it is an integral part of Iraqi society with a historic role in building the state. He also recalled the longstanding ties between the Al-Hakim family and the Faili community, reaffirming continued support for its legitimate rights and national presence. As part of constitutional procedures, the Azm Alliance hosted Patriotic Union of Kurdistan candidate Nizar Amidi at its parliamentary headquarters to discuss mechanisms for completing the remaining constitutional steps in the coming phase.