White smoke is approaching… The coordinating framework faces the “zero hour” for choosing the prime minister.
White smoke is approaching… The coordinating framework faces the “zero hour” for choosing the prime minister.
4-26-2026
The political scene is entering a highly sensitive phase as the constitutional deadline for nominating a prime ministerial candidate approaches. There is widespread anticipation regarding the outcome of the meetings of the Coordination Framework, which faces a crucial test: either achieving internal consensus or sliding into a political vacuum that could disrupt the country’s political process. According
to multiple political sources, the past few hours have witnessed intensive activity and communication among the leaders of the Coordination Framework, in an attempt to bridge the differences regarding the proposed candidates. This comes amidst the continued division between the options of current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, in addition to the inclusion of the name of the head of the Victory Coalition, Haider al-Abadi, among the nominees. Sources indicate that marathon meetings are being held behind closed doors, under increasing
time
pressure as the constitutional deadline nears. This makes postponement practically impossible and places political forces under the necessity of a swift resolution.
In this context, Ali al-Fatlawi, a leader in the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, revealed an anticipated meeting between Maliki and Sudani, which may be held before the meeting of the Coordination Framework leaders. He described it as a “potential key to resolving the crisis,” while emphasizing his bloc’s insistence on a top-tier candidate and its rejection of the “compromise candidate” option.
Al-Fatlawi told the Al-Maalouma news agency, “The Reconstruction and Development Bloc remains committed to its position of choosing a top-tier candidate, either Maliki or Sudani, and completely rejects the compromise candidate option.” He explained that “the State of Law Coalition is pushing for the compromise candidate option.”
He added that “the meeting scheduled for today between the two sides must produce decisive results,” stressing that “the limited time and the expiration of the constitutional deadlines do not allow for further delays in resolving the prime ministership issue.”
For his part, Aqeel al-Rudaini, a leader in the Victory Coalition, confirmed that the Coordination Framework has entered a critical constitutional phase that does not permit further delays, indicating that the meeting between Maliki and Sudani could be decisive in determining the final decision.
Al-Rudaini told Al-Maalomah that “the coordination framework has entered a critical constitutional phase, with only a few hours remaining to resolve the prime ministerial candidate crisis.”
He added that the meeting between Maliki and Sudani is considered a crucial step in resolving the crisis surrounding the nomination and could be key to settling the disputes.
Al-Rudaini indicated that Haider al-Abadi, head of the Victory Coalition, remains on the coordination framework’s list of candidates for prime minister. This represents
a crisis of consensus within the political establishment .
These developments reflect the complexity within the coordination framework, as previous meetings failed to reach a final agreement due to differing views on the nature of the next candidate, between those who prefer a consensus figure and those who insist on candidates from the top tier within the alliance.
As the deadlock persists, fears are mounting that the country could enter a constitutional vacuum if a candidate is not chosen within the allotted timeframe. This is a scenario that has plagued the political process in previous cycles, leading to delays in government formation.
Between the prospects of consensus and continued disagreement, the coming hours remain crucial in determining the course of the crisis, amidst widespread questions: Will the coordinating framework succeed in announcing its candidate within the allotted time? Or is the country heading towards an even more complex political phase?
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