Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) (est 1975) (Kurdish: Yaketi Nishtimani Kurdistan)

History

The PUK was a coalition of five separate political factions that united under Jalal Talabani, also known as Mam ("Uncle") Jalal; the leading factions were the Komala ("group") and Shorish Geran ("revolution spreaders").

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The PUK received grassroots support from the urban intellectual classes of Iraqi Kurdistan upon its establishment, this was party due to 13 of its 15 founding members being Phd holders and academics. Originally, the party was a leftist political movement which has progressively moved towards the centre and has now become a social democratic party and an observer member of the Socialist International.

Related Topics:
Iraqi Kurdistan - Leftist - Social democratic - Socialist International

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In the early 1980's the PUK adapted and broadened its appeal to all sections of Kurdish society. The regional Kurdish assembly elections showed that the PUK's support lies predominantly in the southern area of Iraqi Kurdistan. Since the first Gulf War, the PUK has jointly administered northern Iraqi Kurdistan with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

Related Topics:
Gulf War - Northern Iraqi Kurdistan

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