Tensions are high inside the Green Zone… Will Saturday’s meeting break the deadlock in the framework disputes, or will it be postponed until further notice?
Tensions are high inside the Green Zone… Will Saturday’s meeting break the deadlock in the framework disputes, or will it be postponed until further notice?
4-18-2026
Baghdad/Report…
Political and public attention is focused on the anticipated meeting of the leaders of the Coordination Framework, scheduled for this Saturday evening. Conflicting reports circulate regarding the possibility of all factions convening under one roof, or whether the meeting will be postponed at the last minute.
This meeting, described as a “decisive meeting,” comes at a critical juncture, as complex internal issues intersect with external ones that are weighing heavily on the Shia political establishment.
As the deadline approaches, informed political sources revealed to Al-Maalomah News Agency that there are differing views on some pivotal issues, making the very convening of the session an organizational and political challenge. While one faction within the framework is pressing for decisive resolutions to end the stagnation in governmental and parliamentary performance, another faction believes that understandings have not yet matured and that overlooking disagreements without fundamental solutions could lead to a further fracturing of the unified stance.
In a related development, Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, a leading figure in the State of Law Coalition, revealed on Saturday that there were leaks indicating that Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the candidate of the Euphrates Bloc, had requested a postponement of the coordination framework meeting scheduled for Saturday until next Monday. He also confirmed the continued uncertainty surrounding the identity of the prime ministerial candidate.
Jaafar told the Al-Maalomah news agency, “Unconfirmed leaks indicate that al-Sudani has requested a postponement of the framework leaders’ meeting until next Monday.” He explained that “even if the meeting is held today, Saturday, it will not resolve the issue of nominating the candidate of the largest bloc to form the new government.”
He added that “the atmosphere within the coordination framework remains unclear, given the ongoing competition and political race between Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani,” noting that “the coming days will be crucial in determining the direction of final agreements.”
For his part, MP Saud al-Saadi, head of the Rights Bloc in Parliament, ruled out on Thursday the possibility of the leaders of the Coordination Framework deciding on the largest bloc’s candidate for the next prime minister at their meeting next Saturday. He stressed the Framework’s commitment to the remaining constitutional deadlines.
Al-Saadi told the Al-Maalouma news agency, “Dialogue and continuous communication are the only way to end the delay in resolving the issue of nominating the Coordination Framework’s candidate for the next prime minister.” He affirmed that “the Framework will not exceed the constitutional deadline, and the candidate will be chosen within the next ten days.”
He added that “the Rights Bloc supports any candidate who meets national criteria, foremost among them being a strong figure capable of leading the country through this phase and dealing with changes, and most importantly, being free from external dictates and not subject to American will.”
Al-Saadi explained that “the current phase requires a prime minister who prioritizes safeguarding sovereignty,” noting that “the selection process requires the consensus of all leaders of the Coordination Framework. If this proves impossible, a two-thirds vote will be used to resolve the matter.”
almaalomah.me
