Iraq’s coordination framework weighs alternative PM candidates

Influential factions within Iraq’s Coordination Framework are considering alternative candidates for the post of prime minister after failing to reach consensus, a source told Shafaq News on March 30.

According to the source, discussions are ongoing to review several names. The leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, has reportedly faced opposition from the United States, while growing resistance has also emerged against renewing the term of caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, including from religious figures.

“The coming days will witness intensified political negotiations and meetings to agree on a compromise candidate acceptable to all parties," the source said, noting that the Reconstruction and Development Alliance, led by al-Sudani, may put forward parliamentary bloc head Bahaa al-Araji as an alternative candidate if a second term for the caretaker prime minister cannot be secured.

Recent meetings of the Coordination Framework also addressed mechanisms for selecting the president and setting a deadline for the parliamentary session, alongside preliminary discussions on the premiiership.

“Several names were proposed but faced objections from key factions,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Reconstruction and Development bloc spokesperson Firas al-Mislmawi told Shafaq News that parliament has set a final, non-extendable date to elect the president. Lawmakers, he said, agreed to vote for the Kurdish nominee if Kurdish parties present a unified candidate. If multiple candidates are nominated, the decision will be determined through a parliamentary vote.

Earlier on March 30, the Parliament Presidency set April 11 as the date for the session to elect the president, urging political leaders to fulfill constitutional obligations and move forward with forming a government.

By Sabina Mammadli