While estimates contradict regarding the two main Kurdish candidates for the presidency (nominee of Kurdistan Democratic Party Fuad Hussein and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan nominee Barham Salih, Baghdad awaits a consensus candidate. Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi announced Thursday that the next Monday of October will be the date for electing the president. He added that in case no agreement was reached then the next day of the month will be the final date for elections. In the same context, Halbousi announced that seven candidates will run for the presidency – six out of them are Kurdish and one is Arab. Candidate Serdar Abdullah stated to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that it is for everyone’s best to agree on a consensus candidate in order to avoid a disaster in the Kurdish arena. He added that he launched an initiative in this context and held discussions with the two main Kurdish parties. Abdullah expressed his willingness to withdraw from the elections in case an agreement was reached. He added that time is still needed before real democracy is reached. Lawmaker Mohammed al-Karboli told Asharq Al-Awsat that there is no decision yet as to which candidate will be supported. Mohammed al-Ghabban, former interior minister, said to Asharq Al-Awsat that the right thing is for both main Kurdish parties reach an agreement. Head of the al-Wataniya Coalition Ayad Allawi said that Masoud Barzani called for peace and affirmed that the Kurdish case can’t be solved by wars and tension.