By Arif Yusuf

ERBIL, Iraq

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on Wednesday nominated Barham Salih, head of the Coalition for Democracy and Justice Party, for the post of Iraqi president.

Speaking to reporters in Sulaymaniyah, PUK spokesman Saadi Pira confirmed that the PUK’s Leadership Council had selected Salih for the nomination.

According to local media reports, Hoshyar Zebari, leader of Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and a former finance minister, is also being considered for the post.

On Monday, Iraq’s recently-elected parliament announced the beginning of the presidential nomination period.

On Sept. 25, the assembly will elect Iraq’s next president, who will then task the majority bloc in parliament with drawing up a new government.