Al-Jalabi: No new candidate will be nominated for prime minister without Maliki’s official withdrawal.

Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the Coordination Framework, clarified the situation regarding the nomination of the next prime minister on Tuesday, confirming that Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, remains the current candidate for the position.

Al-Jalabi told the Information Agency, “The Coordination Framework cannot proceed with nominating any other figure unless al-Maliki’s nomination is officially withdrawn,” noting that the latter has not yet announced his withdrawal.

He added, “This procedure also applies to the caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, as no alternative or new nomination can be put forward unless the current candidate’s position is resolved and he officially announces his withdrawal from the race.”
Earlier, Firas al-Muslawi, spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, revealed that two specific mechanisms have been proposed to resolve the issue of selecting the largest bloc’s candidate for the position of Prime Minister, indicating that the leaders of the Coordination Framework will choose one of them in a meeting on Wednesday.

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The “two-thirds” requirement is a sticking point for consensus… Disagreements over mechanisms are hindering the nomination of a prime ministerial candidate within the framework.

Political data indicates strong signs that the forces meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, will fail to reach a final agreement for the leaders of the framework, due to the deepening gap of disagreements over the implementation mechanisms presented for discussion during yesterday’s meeting. The last few hours have witnessed a sharp divergence of views among the active parties, as some blocs insist on procedural paths that other parties reject and consider a violation of previous understandings regarding the selection of previous heads of government. This has put the anticipated meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, at risk of postponement. Sources close to the leaders of the coordinating framework indicated that the main obstacle lies in the “devil in the details” related to the mechanism for selecting the candidate of the largest bloc for the next prime minister, which makes the announcement of the “framework agreement” tomorrow unlikely in light of the current tension and the insistence on not making mutual concessions that would end the existing deadlock.

In this context, Firas al-Muslawi, spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, revealed on Tuesday that two specific mechanisms have been proposed to resolve the issue of selecting the largest bloc’s candidate for the position of Prime Minister. He indicated that the leaders of the Coordination Framework will choose one of them in a meeting on Wednesday.

Al-Muslawi told the Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the leaders of the Coordination Framework agreed in a meeting on Monday evening that the nomination of the next candidate should be based on a two-thirds majority system to ensure acceptance and proceed with the formation of the government.”

He added that “the current discussions are focused on finalizing the two-thirds mechanism, with two options being presented: the first requires a two-thirds vote from the leaders of the Framework’s constituent forces, and the second requires a two-thirds majority vote from the members of Parliament belonging exclusively to the Coordination Framework’s constituent forces.”

Al-Muslawi indicated that “tomorrow’s meeting, Wednesday, will be crucial in choosing one of these two mechanisms to immediately begin the procedures for nominating the next prime minister.”

For his part, Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, a leader in the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Tuesday that the established practice within the Coordination Framework for nominating previous prime ministers was based on the leadership of the Coordination Framework itself, not on parliamentary weight. He noted that this proposal could be agreed upon, provided it is implemented during the upcoming elections and not during the current parliamentary session.

Jaafar added in a statement to Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the disagreement within the Coordination Framework remains complex,” and he predicted that “no agreement will be reached on resolving the issue of the largest bloc’s candidate for the next prime minister during tomorrow’s meeting.”

It is worth noting that the leaders of the Coordination Framework held a meeting Monday evening without reaching an agreement on the largest bloc’s candidate for the next prime minister, and the meeting was postponed until Wednesday.

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The International Maritime Organization is considering evacuating ships stranded in the Gulf.

The head of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, announced on Tuesday that the organization is working on a plan to evacuate hundreds of ships stranded in the Gulf region, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Bloomberg quoted Dominguez as saying that the plan would only be implemented when there were clear signs of de-escalation in the region.

He explained that the ongoing discussions include organizing the departure of ships, including arranging departures according to the length of time crews stay in the area and other operational and security factors.

A representative of the London-based International Maritime Organization noted that the organization has urged ships not to cross the Strait of Hormuz without obtaining safety guarantees.

Earlier today, Greek maritime risk management company Marisex reported that some shipping companies stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz had received fraudulent messages promising safe passage in exchange for cryptocurrency.

This comes at a time of continued disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed before the outbreak of war in the Middle East.

Shafaq.com

Shortly before the end of the truce, Trump may participate in the Islamabad talks.

Reuters, citing a Pakistani source, reported on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump may participate in person or online if an agreement is reached during the ongoing talks.

The source stated that “the atmosphere is positive, and the talks are proceeding according to the set timetable, with indications of progress in the discussions.”

In the same context, an official Pakistani source revealed to Al Arabiya channel that “the delegations of the United States and Iran arrived in Islamabad simultaneously to begin a new round of talks.”

In this context, Pakistani diplomatic sources confirmed the arrival of the preliminary Iranian delegation in Islamabad, noting that the preliminary American delegation is also present in the capital.

These developments come as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The truce between Washington and Tehran is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday (3:30 a.m. Thursday Tehran time).

On Monday, Islamabad asked Tehran and Washington to extend the ceasefire truce.

Shafaq.com

Iraq ranks seventh among Arab countries with high investment risks.

Iraq is among the countries with high investment risks, according to the latest equity risk premium estimates issued by New York University finance professor Aswath Damodaran.

The “equity risk premium” is one of the most prominent financial indicators that measures the level of risk in countries’ economies, as it represents the additional return that an investor demands in exchange for going to a particular market instead of safe assets. The higher this ratio is, the greater the risk and the lower the investor confidence.

According to estimates, Iraq came in seventh place in the Arab world with a premium of 13.9%, alongside Egypt and Tunisia, reflecting the continued challenges facing the investment environment in the country.

Lebanon and Sudan topped the list in the Arab world with 30.9%, followed by Syria and Yemen at 19.8%, then Somalia at 17.2%, while Bahrain recorded 11.4% and Algeria 10.1%.

Globally, Belarus, Lebanon, Sudan and Venezuela were among the most dangerous with a premium of 30.9%, while Switzerland and Sweden recorded the lowest levels of risk globally at about 4.2%.

Experts believe that Iraq remaining within these medium to high levels of risk means that the cost of attracting foreign investment is still high, which calls for accelerating economic reforms, improving the business environment, and enhancing financial stability.

Experts emphasize that reducing these risks requires practical measures that include diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil, and developing infrastructure, which will enhance investor confidence and raise the competitiveness of the Iraqi economy at the international level.

Shafaq.com

“Reconstruction and Development” proposes a “secret” vote for the next Iraqi Prime Minister.

Qusay Mahbouba, a leader in the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition (led by current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani), proposed on Tuesday to the Coordination Framework a new mechanism for selecting the next Prime Minister, which is to adopt a “secret vote” for the 186 members of the House of Representatives who are part of the Framework, in order to get out of the political deadlock.

Mahbouba said in a post that the coordination framework had reached a “dead end; there is no clear mechanism for resolution and no unified vision for the next stage,” considering that the solution lies in “inviting the representatives of the framework to a secret vote, as the general body, to choose the candidate for prime minister.”

He pointed out that implementing this proposal “will get the framework out of its crisis, and restore the representatives to their true role, so that the decision becomes binding and respected by all,” describing this mechanism as “a clear message confirming that democracy begins with the will of the representatives, not with the understandings of the leaders.”

This proposal comes as the coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq failed to hold a “decisive” meeting on Saturday and Monday with the aim of naming a candidate for the position of Prime Minister, which was postponed until Wednesday.

These developments come at a time when the government formation process has entered a critical phase, following the election of Nizar Amidi as President of the Republic. This places the largest bloc before a constitutional deadline ending on April 26 to officially present its candidate, amid fears of returning to square one of political deadlock.

Shafaq.com

The coordinating framework fails to decide on a candidate for prime minister and postpones its meeting.

The Coordination Framework failed again to decide on a candidate for the premiership on Monday evening, due to disagreements among its members over two names nominated for the position. However, the Secretary-General of the Framework, Abbas Al-Amiri, confirmed that the meeting was “positive,” but that the agreement needs more time to mature.

Al-Amiri said in a video after the meeting: “Today’s meeting was positive and all opinions and discussions were presented. It needed more time, so the framework decided to postpone the meeting until Wednesday to complete today’s dialogue.”

Al-Amiri confirmed that “tomorrow, Tuesday, the dialogue will also be completed,” indicating that “the atmosphere today was very positive, and we will reach a solution next Wednesday.”

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “the coordination framework has not reached the stage of agreeing on the name of the candidate, Bassem al-Badri, and disagreements have occurred regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios and independent bodies, most notably the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

Yesterday, the General Secretariat of the Coordinating Framework called on the forces of the framework to hold a meeting today, Monday, at the office of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, stressing that the agenda is limited to deciding on the candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq failed to hold a “crucial” meeting last Saturday, and it was postponed to Monday.

These developments come at a time when the government formation process has entered a critical phase, following the election of Nizar Amidi as President of the Republic. This places the largest bloc before a constitutional deadline ending on April 26 to officially present its candidate, amid fears of returning to square one of political deadlock.

Shafaq.com

Wisdom surrounds Shafaq News with scenarios for the “crucial” framework meeting… and a new name enters the race

MP Riyad Adai, from the “Hikma” bloc, confirmed that the coordination framework meeting scheduled for Monday evening is still on, suggesting that the prime minister candidate will be decided within the next 24 hours, with a new name being put forward among the scenarios being discussed.

Adai told Shafaq News Agency that the remaining constitutional period for assigning the Coordination Framework’s candidate to form the government is five days, which puts the Framework’s leaders in a political predicament and pushes towards resolving the issue quickly.

He explained that the framework’s internal regulations stipulate that the candidate who obtains two-thirds of the votes or the consensus of the leaders will be the framework’s official candidate for the position of Prime Minister.

He added that today’s meeting will be held in the office of the head of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, denying any postponement, and expressing his hope that the name of the candidate will be decided during the session.

Adai pointed out that there is more than one scenario being considered, the first of which includes putting forward the name of the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, while another scenario includes names including Basim Al-Badri, in addition to putting forward the name of Ihsan Al-Awadi as a new candidate.

He explained that the person who is acceptable within the coordination framework and is able to collect the required votes will be the closest to obtaining the final nomination.

For his part, a parliamentary source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that the meeting will be held on its scheduled date, and that one of the proposed scenarios is for each party to present its candidate for the position of Prime Minister, and then a vote will be held to choose the one who obtains two-thirds of the votes.

The source added that the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, will put forward the name of Bassem al-Badri, while al-Sudani will put forward the name of Ihsan al-Awadi, with the winner being the candidate of the Coordination Framework for the premiership, who will be chosen by a two-thirds majority.

Yesterday, the General Secretariat of the Coordinating Framework called on the forces of the framework to hold a meeting today, Monday, at the office of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, stressing that the agenda is limited to deciding on the candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq failed to hold a “crucial” meeting last Saturday, and it was postponed to Monday.

These developments come at a time when the government formation process has entered a critical phase, following the election of Nizar Amidi as President of the Republic. This places the largest bloc before a constitutional deadline ending on April 26 to officially present its candidate, amid fears of returning to square one of political deadlock.

Shafaq.com

Support: The prime ministerial candidate may be outside the three names.

Former MP Hassan Fad’am, from the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Monday that the Framework is determined to decide on its candidate for Prime Minister during its meeting today or next Wednesday.

Fadaam told Al-Maalouma that “the coordination framework will hold its meeting today in order to decide on the selection of the prime minister for the next stage, and the framework is determined to end this matter and choose its candidate before the end of the constitutional deadline next Sunday.”

He added that “today’s session will be held to decide on the selection of the new president, and the framework session and its meeting may be postponed until next Wednesday, and it is expected that there will be a candidate from outside the three nominated names (the former prime ministers).”

He explained that “the candidate Bassem al-Badri is under consideration by the Coordination Framework, and the Framework will finalize its position on this matter during its upcoming meeting, either today or next Wednesday, to announce the candidate it will present to be tasked with forming the government.”

Almaalomah.me

Reconstruction and Development: Tonight’s framework meeting is crucial, and there is no alternative to al-Sudani and al-Maliki.

The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, Firas al-Muslawi, revealed on Monday that there are positive indicators for the coordination framework meeting scheduled for this evening. He emphasized the blocs’ commitment to finalizing their candidate for the position of Prime Minister, coinciding with the approaching constitutional deadline.

Al-Muslawi told the Information Agency that “tonight’s meeting of the coordination framework leaders will be crucial in determining the final mechanism for selecting the next Prime Minister, and then proceeding to a vote on the candidate, whether by consensus or majority.” He predicted that “the candidate’s name will be officially decided in a meeting that may be held next Wednesday.”

He added that “the Reconstruction Bloc remains committed to its leader, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and there is no alternative to him at present. The Dawa Party has also clearly announced its support for the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki.” He pointed out that “the tight constitutional deadlines are pushing everyone towards resolving the issue as quickly as possible.”

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