Sudani, Maliki discuss progress on presidency, government formation

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met Wednesday with State of Law Coalition head Nouri al-Maliki to review political dialogues aimed at completing remaining constitutional commitments.

The meeting addressed “the overall general situation and the progress of understandings and dialogues among national political forces,” the Prime Minister’s Media Office said.

The two leaders discussed “the positions of the political blocs and the efforts exerted to reach a political agreement that would finalize the selection of the President of the Republic in the Council of Representatives and proceed with the remaining entitlements.”

Iraq’s government formation has stalled since the Nov. 11 elections. Parliament must first elect a president, who then tasks a nominee with forming a cabinet. A scheduled session was postponed without a new date.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan have not reached consensus on a presidential candidate. The PUK has named Nizar Amedi, while the KDP has nominated Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The presidency has been held since 2003 by figures linked to the PUK, including Jalal Talabani, Fuad Masum, Barham Salih and current President Abdul Latif Rashid.

The Shiite Coordination Framework nominated al-Maliki on Jan. 25. President Donald Trump said the United States would not continue support for Iraq if al-Maliki returned to office.

Al-Sudani and al-Maliki emerged as the main contenders for the premiership after the elections. Although al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition secured the largest number of seats within the framework, internal divisions prevented him from securing unified backing. In January, al-Sudani withdrew his candidacy and endorsed al-Maliki, a move allies described as an effort to preserve cohesion and consolidate votes behind a single nominee.