(VOVworld) – Salim al-Jubouri, the Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, said on Tuesday that more than 100 people had registered for Iraq’s presidency.

Barham Salih (R), Deputy Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party and Fuad Masum, leader of the Kurdistan Alliance in the Iraqi parliament. (Photo: EPA)

Iraqi lawmakers are planning to choose a new state leader and form a multi-faith government. Under an agreement between Iraqi political parties, the presidency is reserved for the Kurdish minority, the parliamentary speaker is from the Sunnis, and the Prime Minister is from the Shiites. Kurdish leaders are expected to announce their candidates in the next few days. Iraq media sources said that the candidates are Fuad Masoum, leader of the Kurdistan Alliance in the Iraqi parliament, and Barham Salih, Deputy Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party.
Under Iraq’s constitution, after electing the parliamentary speaker and 2 vice speakers, the Parliament has to elect a President within 30 days. The President has 15 days to ask the Parliament to accept his Prime Minister, who is in charge of forming a new government. The Prime Minister will have at most 30 days to choose cabinet members and present them to the Parliament.