Scenarios for the Kurdistan Region: PUK and KDP Clash Over Senior Positions as Elections Loom
The KDP and PUK, the two main political parties in the Kurdistan Region, face challenges in proceeding to elections without clear understandings and assurances regarding the allocation of senior positions. The KDP seeks guarantees that Masrour Barzani will assume the presidency of the tenth cabinet without contention, while the PUK aims to secure a high-level post for Qubad Talabani in lieu of Masrour Barzani. Nechirvan Barzani may ultimately relinquish the presidency to Qubad Talabani. In the coming days, a new election date is expected to be announced, likely falling in September or October. The rivalry between these two factions in defining the post-election political landscape has given rise to several potential scenarios.