Barzani, Allawi discuss post-election developments

ERBIL —  Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani met with Iyad Allawi, head of the Wataniya Coalition, on Monday to discuss the political situation in Iraq following the November 11 parliamentary elections.

A statement from Barzani’s office, said the meeting took place in Pirmam, Erbil, and included discussions on “the political process in Iraq and the changes and developments in the region overall.”

The two leaders also addressed “the results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections and the post-election phase, in addition to negotiations among political parties to form a new federal government.”

The meeting follows Nouri Al-Maliki’s Saturday visit to Erbil, in which he met with Barzani. Maliki leads the State of Law Coalition. Yasser Sakheel Al-Maliki, member of the Coalition, said the meeting between Maliki and Barzani focused on the criteria and mechanisms for selecting candidates for Iraq’s three highest political offices. He said the talks did not include specific names.

The IHEC released the final election results last week, confirming turnout above 56 percent and publishing the distribution of all 329 parliamentary seats across the country’s 18 governorates. Al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition ranked second with 29 seats. The Kurdistan Democratic Party followed with 26 seats.

Allawi is part of Prime Minister Al-Sudani-led Reconstruction and development Coalition. Recently, Allawi said he supports renewing Al-Sudani’s mandate “in appreciation of the national and responsible efforts he has made over the past years,” citing steps that “strengthened the presence of the state and reduced levels of conflict during a complex regional phase.”