ERBIL, March 29 (AKnews)
Leading Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politician Kosrat Rasul was sworn in as vice president of the Kurdistan Region today amid a boycott by the opposition.
The appointment of Rasul is part of the political deal between the PUK and its ally the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), according to which the two parties enter elections together and share government positions.
Prior to the parliament session, member of the opposition Gorran faction Payman Izzaddin spoke on behalf of the three opposition groups - Gorran, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG) - and told reporters that they would boycott the session.
Opposition forces claim Rasul's appointment was agreed in a political deal between the two major parties outside of parliament and therefore their votes either for or against would not make any difference.
Rasul is expected to hold a press conference shortly regarding his appointment as vice president.
Opposition forces also boycotted the parliament session earlier this month when the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) prime minister elect Nechirvan Barzani was sworn in and assigned to form the new KRG cabinet within 30 days.
© AK News 2012
