The deputy head of the PUK faction in the Iraqi Parliament, Karim Shakur, told VOA, "So far, the PUK is demanding the post of president for this session of parliament while we, as the PUK, consider it our share.”

The Secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Politburo, Fazil Mirani, told VOA, "The PUK should not be deprived of positions, they can have the deputy prime minister, the foreign minister. We are not asking for unity and we cannot say we will take everything.”

"We and the PUK must agree either to be compensated for the position of president or to have a shared candidate for the position,” Mirani said.

Talabani returned to the PUK’s political bureau after the meeting with Barzani and discussed the KDP leader’s proposals, according to the VOA. While the opinion was not unanimous, many PUK political members opposed giving up the presidency or the KDP’s demand to change their candidate, Barham Salih. Therefore, the party’s meetings on the issue are scheduled to continue.

The two parties are each facing difficulties. The KDP awaits a decision from the Federal Supreme Court on the candidacy of their nominee, Hoshyar Zebari. Even if the court rules in Zebari’s favor, public opinion is against him in Iraq and the competition in parliament is not in his favor.

The PUK for its part is afraid to give up the position, believing its supporters and many of the party’s leaders may give up on the PUK for coming to an agreement with the KDP. Even if the party insists on Salih as a candidate, the PUK may not win the post of the KDP’s agreement with the Sadrist Movement.

The Iraqi Council of Representatives said a new candidate has until Sunday to be nominated.

The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court said on Wednesday the court will make a decision on Zebari’s candidacy on Sunday.

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