A member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the widow of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Ahmed said in a statement that "the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has fought since its founding day to establish unity within the Kurdish house."
"The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, as key forces, have achieved gains for the people of Kurdistan through a united stand and [mutual] alliance.”
She added that "at this stage, we see that it is necessary to continue the coalition and the common position between these parties and the rest of the Kurdish parties, so that we can maintain our gains and play a large role in Iraq."
"On the basis of protecting unity in [our] ranks and because the issue of nominating a president at this time has almost destroyed the unity between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, it was recommended that there be only one candidate for the post of President of the Republic. The choice of this candidate [should be made] by all representatives of Kurdish forces in Baghdad."
"From here, I would like to state that no person or party has the right to make statements on my behalf and that my firm opinion on the subject of the presidency of the Republic of Iraq is what I have announced here to all parties," she concluded, making it clear that the statement was her personal opinion.
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