On the situation of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan in the early Iraqi parliamentary elections and the internal situation of the party, Niaz Hewramani told Kurdpress in an exclusive interview that the internal situation of the PUK was chaotic, but now the situation is much better. The Kurdistan Alliance, which is the electoral coalition of the two parties of the PUK and the Movement for Change (Gorran), plans to participate in this election, and is doing its propaganda and activities.

The official stated that an agreement has been made between the Patriotic Union and Gorran and talks have been held with the Islamic Union Party of Kurdistan.

The deputy head of the PUK in Sulaimani stated on the new Iraqi election law, which has changed the divisions of the country's constituencies and divided Iraq into 83 constituencies for early parliamentary elections, that "this new electoral system and the division of constituencies has been implemented throughout Iraq and has both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand it can cause harm and on the other hand it can bring benefit, but the PUK entered the elections strongly and in any case and in any situation and in any kind of division of constituencies, it gets its votes.

Regarding the PUK plans in Kirkuk, Hewramani said that "Kirkuk is at the heart of the PUK, and that Jalal Talabani, the party's revered founder and secretary general, had previously emphasized on this important point, and that the PUK is moving in the same direction. On the other hand, Kirkuk is a city with many ethnic and religious pluralities and has its own characteristics, and is different from other regions and cities of the country. Therefore, the interaction with the central government of Iraq over Kirkuk is a sensitive and special issue. Meanwhile, the PUK has very good relations with the major Iraqi parties, especially the Shiites, and can get the necessary votes in Kirkuk and make good agreements with the parties and movements that get votes in Kirkuk.

"The PUK carries out its policies on the basis of and through dialogue, and threats, intimidation and denial are not among the strategies and policies of this party, as politics is the art of negotiation and dialogue. Kirkuk is very different from other cities for the Kurdistan alliance under the leadership of Qubad Talabani, and it should not be forgotten that Qubad Talabani is not only a young and capable politician, but also the son of Jalal Talabani, and he is following the same path and policy. He has interactions with various groups in Kirkuk and elsewhere in Iraq according to the principles and policies of Mam Jalal [Talabani]," the official further said.

About the Iraqi presidency, which has been in the hands of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) since 2003, based on agreements with Iraqi groups and deals between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), but the KDP has been seeking for the post since 2018, he pointed out that, "first of all, it should be known that the Iraqi presidency is the share of Kirkuk and Kirkuk is for the PUK. To this day, the PUK has been unwilling to relinquish the presidency in exchange for any concessions. Secondly, only the leadership council and the political bureau of the PUK would decide who will take over the presidency of Iraq, and there are no obstacles if the same people want to take the post, but in the end the PUK does not relinquish this position.

Reporter's code: 50101