ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The second-largest party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) does not accept anything less than being "real partners" in the next Kurdistan Regional Government, refusing to be "onlookers."
“We the PUK, as the second main party in this country, don’t want secondary roles in running security and economic sectors," said PUK Politburo member Saadi Pira.
The head of the party’s relations office was speaking on Rudaw TV's Iro program on Saturday.
“We shouldn’t be only onlookers. The PUK should have a place in economic, security, foreign relations, and all other positions in this political system," he implored.
The PUK won 21 seats in the parliamentary election on September 30; however, has yet to formally appoint critical posts in government.
“Now that it is clear what positions Gorran and KDP are calling for, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) will not play a main role in security and economic sectors," added Pira.
Pira reiterated that forces within the Peshmerga ministry are not united, so the PUK obtaining this post would effectively be ceremonial.
“The ministry now consists of Unit 70 and Unit 80. If we have a minister of Peshmerga, he just be minister of Unit 70 because Unit 80 will not obey a PUK minister. The same is the case if the minister is from the KDP," he said.
“If the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) wants to form a government with us and others who wish to be part of the government, they shouldn’t condition it on their 45 seats," added Pira.
The ministries of interior, Peshmerga, finance, and natural resources are regarded as the most powerful in the KRG.
“We should be real partners in running this country ... “It is okay to have fewer posts, but feel like we are partners," said Pira.
The PUK feels obligated to deliver on its electoral gains and translate those into posts, which directly affect jobs and the economy in their powerbase of Sulaimani.
“PUK voters look to see what role the PUK will have in the fate and future of this Region," Pira said. "Why should they vote for the PUK if it doesn’t have any role?"
“We shouldn’t be only onlookers."
His comments follow a PUK Politburo meeting on Saturday. The KDP has told the PUK that the government must be formed by the end of the month.
PUK spokesperson Latif Sheikh Omar struck the same tone as Pira during a press conference following the meeting.
"...they should accept that we should be a real and effective partner in it, taking part in political decision-making, political establishments, the presidency of the Region and its decision-making, and the presidencies of the government and parliament, taking part in managing security forces, finances, economy and relations,” said Omar.
He revealed yet another a PUK delegation was selected to negotiate with the KDP "in serious and productive dialogue."
The PUK appears to be flexible on taking the position of parliament speaker, which is being filled temporarily by the KDP’s Vala Fared, but is interested in the deputy president post.
Fared has called for the parliament to convene on Tuesday. The PUK has so far not attended a session parliament.