ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani on Thursday slammed Mohammed al-Halbousi, a veteran Iraqi Sunni politician, as “chauvinistic” and “corrupt.” 

Halbousi, leader of the Sunni Taqadum Party, on Wednesday lashed out at the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), claiming that the top Kurdish party did not vote for Haibat al-Halbousi to become Iraq’s parliament speaker during a late December parliament session.

He expressed his support for the rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) instead, saying, “The PUK has twice pledged its support for the Speaker of Parliament position,” while “the KDP did not adhere to the principle of a majority candidate and did not vote for Haibat al-Halbousi.” 

Notably, Haibat al-Halbousi is Mohammed al-Halbousi’s brother. 

“The Sunnis will not vote for the KDP’s candidate for the presidency,” Halbousi asserted, in a televised interview with Dijlah TV. 

In response, KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani blasted Halbousi, saying, “You represent the chauvinistic ideology that warrants legal accountability for the millions of dollars you have earned through being corrupt.” 

“Erbil does not welcome your visit,” Hawramani stressed. “There is no place here for those who are ungrateful.” 

The KDP has fielded Iraq’s incumbent Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein for the presidency, while the PUK has selected Nizar Amedi, Iraq’s former environment minister and the head of the party’s Baghdad office. 

The Kurdish parties have remained at loggerheads and are yet to agree on a single candidate for the top post. 

“The Kurdistan Region is the fruit of immense sacrifices, and you are far too insignificant to impose limits on its will,” Hawramani continued on Halbousi.

During the interview, Halbousi also opposed veteran Shiite politician and Leader of the State of Law Coalition Nouri al-Maliki’s potential return to the premiership. 

“Our experience with Maliki when he was prime minister was bitter,” Halbousi said. “Innocent people were arrested during Maliki’s time.”

He explained that Iraq requires a prime minister with strong ties to the international community and the Arab world, lamenting that “Maliki has problems with everyone.” 

Last week, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum for Iraq to not allow Maliki to be elected, stressing that Washington would no longer help Baghdad under a Maliki-led government.