ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Parliament is set to convene this month and elect a speaker after more than four months since the elections, a lawmaker said.

As the negotiations on forming a new government hit a deadlock, main Kurdish political parties are yet to reach an agreement over the key posts, including the speaker of the parliament.

However, earlier on Tuesday, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) agreed to call the parliament into another session on 18 February.

MP Reving Hrouri told BasNews that the session will be dedicated to finally electing a speaker.

He expressed optimism about an agreement between the KDP and PUK over the next government, parliament, and disputes over Kirkuk.

According to the information obtained by BasNews, the position of parliament speaker will be for the PUK. However, the party leadership is reportedly divided over one candidate.

The faction led by acting secretary-general Kosrat Rasoul are supporting Rewaz Fayiq, while the Talabani family backs Begard Talabani to hold the position.

Any of the two to be elected, it will be the first time a woman will hold the position of parliament speaker.

Bas News