The Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) has submitted a new candidate to replace Kirkuk Provincial Council President Ribwar Talabani, who was forced to leave after Iraqi forces and the popular mobilisation took control of the city on Oct. 16.
Rebawar Talabani has held his post acting since 2014 and played an important role in raising the flag of the Kurdistan alongside with the Iraqi flag over the government buildings in Kirkuk on the basis of a resolution received the majority voice of those present at the meeting of the provincial council held in March last year.
Talabani, who is a member of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), is one of the most important supporters of Kirkuk's participation in the Kurdistan independence referendum, which was held last September and voted the majority of Kurds in favor of it.
"Due to the inability of Talabani to return to Kirkuk, a member of the provincial council, Jiwan Hassan has been nominated for the presidency of the Council of Kirkuk," a member of the Kurdistan Islamic Union Hadi Ali said in a statement announced.
In this case, Hassan needs 21 votes in the Kirkuk provincial council to win the post.