Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework on Mondaynominated Ali Al-Zaidi as its candidate for premiership, praising what itdescribed as the “responsible” withdrawal of State of Law leader NouriAl-Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani from therace.
In a statement, the bloc, which holds about 162 ofparliament’s 329 seats, indicated that its leaders convened at the governmentpalace in Baghdad and selected Al-Zaidi as their nominee in its capacity as thelargest parliamentary bloc.
Earlier today, political sources told Shafaq News thatAl-Maliki and Al-Sudani, who heads theReconstruction and Development (Al-Ima'ar wal-Tanmiya) Coalition, had agreed to support Al-Zaidi as a compromise figureto lead the next government.
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. The Framework missed the April 26 constitutional deadline tonominate a candidate following the election of Nizar Amedi as president onApril 11; 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
