Iraqi parliament votes to allow candidature for president

BAGHDAD

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday voted to reopen the door for candidates to run for president.

The decision was adopted by 203-62 votes, the parliament said in a statement.

Saturday’s decision will allow the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which has 31 seats in the 329-member parliament, to nominate a candidate for the post after their candidate, former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, was disqualified by a court ruling.

Last month, the Iraqi parliament failed to elect a new president amid a boycott of most parliamentary blocs due to differences over presidential candidates and the government formation.

The election of a president is an important step towards forming a new government following the Oct. 10 parliamentary elections.

Under a political norm since 2006, a Kurd is elected for Iraq’s presidency, while a Sunni heads the parliament, and a Shia takes the prime minister position.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara

BAGHDAD

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday voted to reopen the door for candidates to run for president.

The decision was adopted by 203-62 votes, the parliament said in a statement.

Last month, the Iraqi parliament failed to elect a new president amid a boycott of most parliamentary blocs due to differences over presidential candidates and the government formation.

The election of a president is an important step towards forming a new government following the Oct. 10 parliamentary elections.

Under a political norm since 2006, a Kurd is elected for Iraq’s presidency, while a Sunni heads the parliament, and a Shia takes the prime minister position.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara