Iraqi President assigns Al-Zaidi to form new government

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi on Monday formally tasked Iraq’sShiite Coordination Framework (CF) nominee Ali Al-Zaidi with forming a newgovernment.

Earlier today, the Framework, the largest bloc holdingabout 162 of parliament’s 329 seats, selected Al-Zaidi after State of Lawleader Nouri Al-Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, whoalso heads the Reconstruction and Development (Al-Ima'ar wal-Tanmiya) Coalition,withdrew their bids.

Under Iraq’s post-2003 power-sharing system, thepresidency is held by a Kurd, the premiership by a Shiite, and the speakershipby a Sunni Arab. Parliament elected Amedi on April 11, initiating the selectionprocess. The Framework missed the April 26 constitutional deadline to present acandidate; once designated, the nominee has 30 days to form a government andsecure parliamentary confidence under Article 76.

: Coordination Framework: Can govern Iraq, but cannot agree on a PM