“Because the KDP is the biggest delegation in the [new] parliament, they are entitled to nominate candidates for the high-ranking positions,” Pira said in a press conference.

According to NRT Ahmed Pira added that the PUK hoped to create an alliance with the KDP to form the nucleus of a new cabinet and that it respected the party’s approach to the process so far.

“We will not return to the “50-50” era, but we want to have a real share [of posts] and participation,” he emphasized, refereeing to previous arrangements whereby the two largest parties divided ministerial posts equally.

The PUK official indicated that the parties had not yet discussed the issue of how deputy prime minister positions would be allocated.

In December 3, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has nominated Nechirvan Barzani as its candidate for President of the Kurdistan Region and Masrour Barzani for Prime Minister.

Reporter’s code: 50101