Mar 08 2011 |
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Kurdistan ruling parties may reconsider running for elections jointly
By Dilshad Saifaddin Sulaimaniya - Leaders from both ruling parties in the Kurdistan Region say their parties are yet to decide whether to run for elections under a single list.After some public protests in Kurdistan, recently the Kurdish President Massoud Barzani suggested that the Kurdish parliament discuss early elections, as a measure to calm the anti-government protesters who are angered by high unemployment, economic and political corruption and lack of basic services.
A Kurdish weekly newspaper, Rudaw, had cited Arif Tayfur, a leader in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) saying his party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have discussed participating in the early elections under two separate lists not a joint one.
Under a pact in 2007, the two parties are strategic allies and pledge to enter any voting process jointly. However, in July 25 general elections in Kurdistan, where the lists were open, results suggested KDP had more supporters than the PUK.
Tayfur also noted the PUK is studying the choice and expected the two parties will eventually choose to separate for the inclusive voting so that "the real entity of each side is exposed."
Sadi Ahmed Pira, a leader from the PUK told AKnews the issue is yet to be discussed, anticipating it will be determined in the next meeting of the KDP and PUK politburos. However, he did not mention when such a meeting is to take place.
Another KDP leader, Faraydun Jwanroyi confirmed Pira's statement, saying the issue has not been discussed yet. He added it is "very soon to decide over this issue."
The PUK is led by the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the KDP by Barzani. The two have domineered ruling in Kurdistan since 1991.
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