Chief of Sudani bloc urges Coordination Framework unity ahead of PM decision

BAGHDAD — The head of Prime Minister al-Sudani’s parliamentary bloc called Monday for the Coordination Framework to maintain unity as it meets to decide on a prime ministerial candidate, setting out criteria he described as non-negotiable.

Baha al-Araji, head of the Reconstruction and Development bloc, said the selection must be based on “electoral legitimacy, success in executive performance, and national acceptability across communities,” and that the framework’s unified decision-making “represents a structural guarantee for political stability.”

The Coordination Framework is meeting Monday at the office of Hikma Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim with the prime ministerial candidate as the sole agenda item. The Dawa Party reaffirmed Sunday that Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination remains in place and has not been withdrawn, insisting any change must go through the same mechanism used to select him. That nomination drew direct U.S. opposition — President Trump warned Washington could reconsider support for Iraq if Maliki were appointed — and has faced persistent internal reservations. President Nizar Amedi has 15 days under Article 76 of the constitution to task the largest bloc’s nominee with forming a government.