ERBIL — The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has withdrawn its nominee from Iraq’s presidential race after the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) violated a previous deal earlier the day.

Senior delegations from the KDP and PUK have been holding intense talks to finally reach a deal with the PUK, allowing KDP’s nominee Fuad Hussein to run for president.

However, later the day, the PUK unilaterally breached the agreement and entered the race.

During the first round of the votes at the parliament, Barham Salih obtained 165 votes, and Fuad Hussein received 90 votes.

The two were expected to enter the second round of votes. However, Fuad Hussein withdrew from the race before the results of the second round.

Parliament’s presidency, however, has not accepted the withdrawal of the KDP’s nominee, saying that Fuad Hussein has not signed the papers himself.

The KDP faction said in a statement that the side which had violated the agreement would be responsible for the current situation.