After months of political deadlock
Kirkuk political blocs agree on new governor and council head
KIRKUK – Kirkuk political blocs have reached an agreement to appoint Patriotic Union of Kurdistan official Rebwar Taha as governor and Arab businessman Ahmed Abdul Wahid Al-Hamdani as council chairman, according to information obtained by 964media. This deal aims to address representation in the contested, multi-ethnic governorate.
The agreement stipulates a term division: for the first two years (five months of which have already passed), Taha will serve as governor and Al-Hamdani as provincial council head. Afterward, the governorship will shift to an Arab figure, with candidates including current council member Mohammed Al-Hafiz, council member Raad Al-Salih from the Taqadoum Party, and current MP Muhaimin Ali Al-Hamdani.
Deputy governor and deputy council head positions will be shared between the Turkmen and the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The Shia Coordination Framework, Iraq’s main governing coalition, has requested that one deputy governor position be allocated to a Shia Turkmen affiliated with their bloc.
Outgoing Deputy Governor Ali Hamadi announced on Thursday that the Kirkuk Provincial Council session, initially set for today to decide on the governor and council chairman positions, has been postponed to next week at the request of the PUK and the Christian Babylon Movement. The postponement was approved to allow further consultations among political groups. Hamadi emphasized the need for consensus, supported by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, to avoid marginalizing any group in the province.
Seven months after provincial council elections, Kirkuk is still without a new government. Following directives from Al-Sudani, the Kirkuk Provincial Council held its first session on July 11, chaired by the eldest member, Rakan Saeed Al-Jubouri, who is also the outgoing governor. The session remains open for 30 days to facilitate consultations and agreement on the governor and council head.
The Kirkuk Provincial Council comprises 16 seats: seven for the Kurds (five for the PUK and two for the KDP), six for the Arab component (three for the Arab Coalition in Kirkuk, two for the Leadership, and one for the Arabism Coalition), two for the Turkmen, and one Christian quota seat.
Kirkuk provincial council holds first formal session
