On the eve of the expiration of the American deadline, the framework faces three options regarding the fate of al-Maliki’s nomination.
On the eve of the expiration of the American deadline, the framework faces three options regarding the fate of al-Maliki’s nomination.
2026-02-22 01:12
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An official source within the coordination framework confirmed that the deadline given by the United States to the Shiite coordination framework to withdraw the nomination of the leader of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, for the premiership will end this Sunday evening.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “there will be a meeting today of some leaders of the Coordination Framework to make a final decision regarding this file, and there are three options that will be discussed in this regard,” indicating that “the first of those options is for Maliki to announce the withdrawal of his candidacy, the second is for the majority that nominated Maliki within the framework to decide to withdraw this nomination, and the third option is to proceed with Maliki’s nomination.”
He added that “the most likely option is for the majority of those nominated for Maliki to agree within the coordination framework to withdraw the nomination in order to prevent any serious and major repercussions for Iraq if Washington imposes sanctions and actually carries out what it has threatened.”
Informed sources confirmed on Saturday that the forces of the Coordination Framework were planning to hold an expanded meeting to end the political deadlock by deciding on Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for the premiership, either by keeping him or replacing him.
Sources told Shafaq News Agency that “the coordination framework, which brings together Shiite political forces, is moving towards holding a meeting to end the political deadlock and agree on a unified position regarding the prime minister candidate.”
He adds that “the current approach is to choose a figure who suits the circumstances surrounding the country and the economic and security challenges, provided that a date is set for the parliament session to elect the president of the republic, who in turn will task the framework candidate with forming the government.”
He pointed out that “the meeting will address the issue of the continued nomination of the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, or his personal withdrawal, or the framework will decide to officially withdraw his nomination and look for an alternative.”
The “coordination framework,” which includes ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq, is witnessing a division over the nomination of Maliki for the next government, amid American warnings of the repercussions of his selection, which prompted forces within the coalition to try to persuade him to withdraw in order to preserve the unity of the framework.
In contrast, Maliki has declared on more than one occasion his adherence to his candidacy and believes that withdrawing from it should be done by an official decision from the framework.
The escalating American pressure on Iraq comes as a translation of President Donald Trump’s explicit threats, which included criticism of the previous course taken by Maliki when he assumed the premiership for 8 years.
On January 24, 2026, the Coordination Framework announced the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, for the position of Prime Minister, with a majority vote from its constituent groups.
shafaq.com
