Iraqi Kurdish party could support PM Maliki in return for presidency

A major political party in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region is reportedly considering supporting a third term for Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki in return for keeping the Iraqi presidential post. Reports detail that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan headed by Jalal Talabani could support Maliki’s third term if the presidential post goes to senior party official Barham Salih. Patriotic Union members are neither confirming nor denying the reports. But they implied that they’re willing to negotiate with Maliki.
A report by Kurdistan’s Bas News quotes an anonymous source who says the Patriotic Union might negotiate with Maliki alone. But the party says it will not make an agreement with Maliki alone. Political analysts say anything’s possible because the party wants to keep the presidential post. The Patriotic Union’s leader, Jalal Talabani, currently holds the presidential post. The party says he’s been in Germany since his stroke in 2012. Most of Kurdistan’s political parties don’t exactly see eye to eye with the Patriotic Union. If such a deal turns out to be true, observers say it could create tension among Kurdistan’s politicians.