Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraq's political forces remain divided over the pace of governmentformation as a constitutional deadline approaches, with some insisting theprocess is on track while others warn of legal violations, disruptedgovernance, and eroding public confidence.
Under Article 76 of the constitution, the Coordination Framework(CF) —a coalition of predominantly Shiite parties holding 162 seats in the329-member parliament— had 15 days following the election of President NizarAmedi on April 11 to nominate a prime minister. The nominee would then have 30days to form a cabinet and secure a parliamentary confidence vote. With onlydays remaining, the bloc has yet to agree on a candidate.
Hassan Fadam, a member of the National Wisdom (Al-Hikma) Movementwithin the CF, pushed back against characterizations of a slowdown, tellingShafaq News the process remains within constitutional timelines. He outlinedthe sequence governing government formation —electing the parliament speakerand president before tasking the largest bloc with forming a cabinet— anddescribed the current phase as a natural political process.
"A nominee will be presented within the legal timeframe,"he said.
Dissenting voices within the CF itself indicate the consensus isnot holding. Imran al-Karkoushi, a member of the State of Law Coalition led byformer Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, described the delay as unjustified andin violation of constitutional timelines.
“The continuation of a caretaker government weakens Iraq's capacityto address regional security challenges and reflects an absence of claritywithin the framework.”
Al-Maliki, nominated by thebloc on January 24, remains committed to his candidacy pending a final internaldecision, al-Karkoushi confirmed.
Fahd al-Jubouri, also a member of Al-Hikma, said the situation hasalready exceeded constitutional deadlines and is undermining public trust inthe political system. "Iraq faces sensitive regional conditions thatrequire a fully empowered government rather than an extended transitionalphase," he said.
Khaled Walid, a leader in the Reconstruction and DevelopmentCoalition headed by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, warnedthat the prolonged process is disrupting public services, delaying passage ofthe federal budget, and hampering the work of service ministries.
Continued uncertainty, he said, risks destabilizing Iraq's domesticpolitical environment and its regional and international relations. Walidpointed to recurring post-election disputes since 2003 as evidence ofstructural failures in managing political transitions.
The CF's 15-day nomination window, triggered by President Amedi'selection on April 11, expires April 26.
: Coordination Framework: Can govern Iraq, but cannot agree on a prime minister
