ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A representative of the Iranian Consulate in Erbil, among other international diplomats, attended a crucial session of Kurdistan Parliament on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming election for the presidency of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The Iranian diplomat in attendance, the top adviser to the Iranian Consul General in Erbil, received an official invitation from the Kurdistan Parliament,

Mohsen Bawafay, Iran's representative, attended alongside diplomats from the consulates of the United States, Egypt and Germany.

The Kurdish political parties the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Goran have demanded amendments to the presidential election law that stipulate the next president be elected by parliament.

The current term of President Masoud Barzani term is nearing its end, with earlier reports indicating the presidential vote will be held in August. The upcoming election has set off intense debate between rival Kurdish parties.

Only 57 parliamentarians of a total 111 took part in Tuesday's session of parliament. The lawmakers in attendance represented the PUK, Goran, the Kurdistan Islamic Union, Kurdistan Islamic League, and the Kurdistan Communist Party.

All 38 parliamentarians of Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party, as well as lawmakers from several smaller parties, chose to boycott the session.

Rudaw