The Shiite “Coordination Framework” is expected to hold a meeting today, Monday, to name its candidate to form the new government, following the completion of the selection of the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Republic, amidst heated political activity by a team seeking to extend the term of the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, in his current position, whether he achieves consensus within the “Framework” or obtains a majority of votes from the forces affiliated with the alliance.
The leader of the Badr Organization, Mu’in al-Kadhimi, revealed a meeting he described as “crucial” for the Shiite political alliance, which represents all Shiite political forces except for the Sadr Movement, to decide on a candidate for prime minister if he obtains the approval of two-thirds of the “framework” forces.
New candidate
In press statements to media outlets close to the “framework,” he said that “the framework will hold a meeting today to discuss the file of the prime minister candidate,” indicating that “the candidate will be assigned if he obtains the approval of two-thirds of the framework members.”
He added that “the election of the President of the Republic by the House of Representatives represents an important step after nearly 100 days since the convening of its first session,” stressing that “there is no room for interpretations or delays in deciding on the nomination of the Prime Minister.”
Al-Amiri: “The names previously proposed for the premiership are no longer valid.”
The leader of the organization headed by Hadi al-Amiri indicated that “the names previously put forward for the premiership have expired, and the coordination framework is now faced with the option of choosing a new candidate capable of running the state, especially in light of the current economic and financial challenges and regional conditions.”
He noted that “there is some opposition to granting a second term,” suggesting that “the most feasible option would be to move towards a new candidate for prime minister,” stressing that “the 15-day deadline is sufficient to appoint the candidate.”
He explained that “the Badr bloc supports the consensus of the framework and will work to ensure the success of the next government in various fields,” stressing that “the nomination of the President of the Republic was not conditional on the nomination of the Prime Minister, and that the file is still in the hands of the Coordination Framework, which has 181 seats.”
Al-Kadhimi concluded by saying: “The next stage requires the Prime Minister to work on passing the project of liberation from American hegemony over Iraq’s resources.”
At the same level, the “Badr” parliamentary bloc called on the “framework” to name the prime minister within the constitutional period (15 days since the election of the president of the republic).
The American veto on Nouri al-Maliki, the "framework" candidate for forming the government, strengthened al-Sudani's chances of being granted a second term.
The head of the Badr parliamentary bloc, Humam al-Tamimi, said in a press conference held in the House of Representatives that “voting on the President of the Republic is one of the pillars of the political process, and we have waited a long time for this entitlement, and the Badr bloc was present in order to complete the constitutional entitlement.”
He added that “the Prime Minister will choose his government within a maximum period of 30 days to begin working on its government program to meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people,” indicating that “there are major economic problems, and therefore the next government is required to bear a great deal of responsibility to face the challenges.”
According to Al-Tamimi, “There are several names being considered by the framework to be tasked with forming the government, and therefore the decision rests with the framework.” He explained that “until this moment, the framework has not officially submitted a name to the President of the Republic, and we are waiting for him to present the designated person within the constitutional period.”
The American “veto” on the “framework” candidate to form the government, Nouri al-Maliki, strengthened al-Sudani’s chances of being extended for a second term.
As soon as the House of Representatives elected a new president for Iraq, Al-Sudani immediately began a series of meetings with leaders of Shiite and Sunni political parties.
Al-Sudani met with Hadi al-Amiri, Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, and discussed with him “the latest developments in Iraq and the region, praising the role of national forces in deciding the election of the President of the Republic, and working to form a coalition government capable of facing the challenges, completing the reform process, and advancing the economic and developmental renaissance throughout the country.”
According to a statement from the office of the caretaker prime minister, the meeting also addressed the need to “strengthen national unity as a fundamental pillar for confronting current challenges and crises, preserving the country’s stability and sovereignty, and meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people for further progress and stability.”
Al-Sudani also met with Ammar al-Hakim, head of the “Wisdom” movement and the “National State Forces” coalition, and one of the most prominent leaders of the “Framework” who oppose al-Maliki’s return to power.
Al-Sudani and Al-Hakim praised “the national forces that contributed to completing the entitlement to elect the President of the Republic, while stressing the need to complete the constitutional entitlements, and to form a national coalition government capable of facing the challenges, and completing the path of reforms, construction and development, in order to achieve stability throughout the country.”
According to a separate statement, both sides stressed the importance of “unifying the positions of all national political forces and supporting measures aimed at preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and enhancing its security and stability, in order to spare the country the effects of conflicts and preserve its sovereignty and supreme interests.”
On the Sunni side, Al-Sudani met with Mohammed Al-Halbousi, head of the “Progress” party, and discussed with him “the political situation in Iraq, and the importance of resolving the important national entitlement represented by the election of the President of the Republic, which is a pivotal step to proceed with completing the formation of a government that meets the aspirations of the citizens, and is able to face the various challenges facing the country.”
Amid those shuttle talks, the head of the “Supreme Islamic Council” and one of the leaders of the “Framework,” Humam Hamoudi, revealed the possibility of choosing the candidate tasked with forming the government within the “Framework” by majority or by consensus.During a dialogue forum at his headquarters in Baghdad, he said, “The stage following the election of the President of the Republic imposes urgent political requirements,” indicating that “the framework has a period not exceeding two weeks to choose a candidate for Prime Minister, with the aim of ensuring that this is done unanimously or by majority vote.”
The political understandings that led to the selection of the president and the rapid movement of the leaders of the blocs revealed the emergence of a new political axis supporting the renewal of al-Sudani's term.
He stressed the need to “develop the framework’s performance to move beyond the framework of exchanging opinions to the level of state administration, by distributing files among its parties in a way that ensures support for the Prime Minister and the government, and that everyone bears their national responsibilities in an integrated manner.”
He pointed out that “the next government will face fundamental challenges, foremost among them building a national army capable of protecting sovereignty, and activating diplomatic efforts to strengthen partnerships with neighboring countries, in a way that contributes to consolidating the region’s security and stability.”
In a related context, he called for “a transformation in the nature of government work, from a government of parties competing for positions and interests, to a government that represents the people and is based on their active participation in supporting and implementing its projects, in order to enhance confidence and achieve the desired success.”
The political understandings that led to the selection of the president, and the rapid movement of the leaders of the blocs, revealed the emergence of a new political axis that supports the renewal of Al-Sudani’s mandate, according to Iraqi researcher and academic Ghalib Al-Daami.
He stated in a blog post: “Recently, a new political axis has emerged, which is among the most prominent supporters of renewing the mandate of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and at the forefront of these is Mohammed Al-Halbousi.”
Al-Halbousi supports Al-Sudani
He added that “Al-Halbousi, who previously expressed his desire to end the government’s term before it completed its tasks, has now become one of the strongest supporters of its survival, and has even become an influential figure behind the scenes of the Shiite political scene, contributing to bringing viewpoints closer and uniting to ensure continued support for Al-Sudani.”
The Iraqi researcher asserts that “what we are witnessing today clearly reveals a power behind the scenes that manages the strings of the coalitions and directs their compass,” noting that “Al-Sudani
is the strongest candidate.”
