Iraq
State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki (left). Photo: AP; Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr (right). Photo: Rudaw; Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Rival Shiite leaders are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the formation of a new government, following months of political deadlock, though they are unlikely to decide on the nominee for prime minister, an Iraqi MP told Rudaw on Monday.
The meeting is set to take place between the leader of the Sadrist Movement Muqtada al-Sadr and State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, according to the Iraqi MP, though the exact time was not mentioned.
“The nominee for prime minister will not be decided on during this meeting,” State of Law Coalition MP Faisal al-Naili told Rudaw on Monday.
“Even if the two sides agree on a nominee, they still need to consult with their allies,” Naili added.
A phone call between the two political rivals was held earlier this week, sparking speculation that the topic of discussion was Sadr’s intention to nominate his cousin, Iraq's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Jaafar al-Sadr, as the next prime minister.
There has been no official confirmation of these rumors surrounding Jaafar.
Jaafar, son of the late Shiite leader Sayeed Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr, previously served at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for some time, and was elected as a member of parliament in 2010 with the State of Law Coalition though he resigned a few months later.
Leaders of the Coordination Framework met on Sunday to discuss progress made with the Sadrist Movement so far and reiterated the need to form a government based on political consensus, according to Naili.
The Coordination Framework is headed by Maliki and is made up of Iran-backed parties, which were among the objecting blocs, emerged as the main losers of the election.
Sadr has repeatedly stated his opposition to political consensus, calling for a majority government to be formed.
The Coordination Framework, which includes the notable Fatih Alliance, State of Law Coalition, National State Forces Alliance, and other blocs, has a combined 78 seats in the parliament; The Sadrist movement has 73.
In August 2021, Maliki told Rudaw that he is not looking to be the prime minister again, but he is looking for “real reform of the administrative system and political system in the country.”
Sadr’s bloc is in an alliance with the KDP and the Sunnis to form a “national majority government”, however the idea is opposed by many Iran-backed Shiite parties who prefer the idea of a consensus government, which would include them.
Iraq has for years had a national consensus government in which most parties were included and government members would be responsible for their leaders first, and then for the prime minister. This form of governance has allowed Iran to outsize its influence in Iraq and, according to many, encouraged corruption and hindered development in the country.
The Coordination Framework initially rejected the election results, claiming the vote was rigged. The alliance is affiliated to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic). They have been accused of threatening the members of the rival alliance.
By Chenar Chalak
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