The framework is facing the zero hour… Will it decide on its candidate for the premiership next Saturday, or will the deadline be extended for the remaining ten days?
Political and popular circles are turning their attention to the anticipated meeting of the Coordination Framework forces next Saturday, amid urgent questions about whether this meeting will represent the coup de grâce to end the deadlock in the prime ministership file, or whether it will turn into a new stage to postpone the crisis to a maximum of ten days.
Leaked information obtained by Al-Maalomah indicates that the options within the Shia political bloc have effectively narrowed down to two main contenders: current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who aspires to a second term bolstered by a record of service-oriented achievements, and Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, who sees his electoral and political standing as a gateway to returning to the Prime Minister’s office.
Despite leaks attempting to promote a “compromise candidate” scenario as a middle ground to satisfy all parties, most leaders within the bloc and observers dismiss this proposal at present. They emphasize that the current phase cannot tolerate experimenting with shadowy figures, and that the decision will be clear among the prominent names being considered. This hinges on the outcome of the last-minute understandings before Saturday’s meeting, which may clarify matters or open the door to the final ten-day constitutional and political deadline.
In this context, MP Saud al-Saadi, head of the Rights Bloc in Parliament, ruled out on Thursday the possibility of the Coordination Framework leaders deciding on the largest bloc’s candidate for the next prime minister at their meeting next Saturday. He stressed the Framework’s commitment to the remaining constitutional deadlines.
Al-Saadi told the Al-Maalomah news agency that “continuous dialogue and communication is the only way to end the delay in finalizing the Coordination Framework’s candidate for the next prime minister,” emphasizing that “the Framework will not exceed the constitutional deadline, and the candidate will be chosen within the next ten days.”
He added that “the Rights Bloc supports any candidate who meets national criteria, foremost among them being a strong figure capable of leading the country through this phase and dealing with changes, and most importantly, being free from external dictates and not subject to American will.”
Al-Saadi explained that “the current phase requires a prime minister who prioritizes safeguarding sovereignty,” noting that “the selection process requires the consensus of all Coordination Framework leaders, and if this proves impossible, a two-thirds vote will be used to resolve the matter.”
In addition, Member of Parliament Murtada al-Ibrahimi revealed the map of alliances and political changes within the coordination framework regarding the file of naming the candidate of the largest bloc, stressing the existence of a division between three fronts that support al-Maliki and al-Sudani and another that takes a neutral position.
Al-Ibrahimi stated in a televised interview, monitored by the Al-Maalomah news agency, that “the coordination framework map was divided into three sections as of Wednesday night; the first includes six leaders who support renewing the mandate of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, while three leaders support the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, and three others adopt a neutral stance.”
He added that “the front supporting al-Sudani includes the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, the Badr Organization, the Victorious Bloc, the Wisdom Movement, the Sanad Movement, and the Sadiqun Movement,” clarifying that “those supporting Nouri al-Maliki are the Dawa Party.”
The Supreme Council and the Foundation Gathering.”
Al-Ibrahimi indicated that “the faction that remains neutral includes the Victory Coalition, the Determination Bloc, and the Virtue Party,” noting that these figures reflect the nature of the ongoing movement within the framework forces to resolve the issue of the next prime minister.
It is worth mentioning that the Coordination Framework postponed its meeting scheduled for Wednesday until next Saturday to discuss finalizing the selection of the largest bloc’s candidate for the next prime minister.
Almaalomah.me