Hakim meets Zaidi as pressure mounts ahead of PM decision

BAGHDAD — Al-Hikma Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim met Tuesday with Al-Khadamat Alliance leader Shibl al-Zaidi to discuss constitutional deadlines related to government formation, as the Coordination Framework prepares for a Wednesday meeting to decide its prime ministerial nominee.

Al-Hakim stressed “the need to form the government within the constitutional timelines” and emphasized “the importance of unifying national efforts to preserve gains and form a government with full powers capable of addressing current challenges.”

The meeting adds to a day of intensive political activity. Earlier, State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki received Prime Minister Sudani at his office, with both sides stressing the importance of expediting government formation. The framework failed to reach consensus Monday, with Secretary-General Abbas al-Amiri describing talks as positive but inconclusive. The Dawa Party insists Maliki’s nomination stands, while competing factions say eight blocs back Sudani against four for Maliki. A third candidate, Bassem al-Badri, was said to have faced a U.S. veto, while Maliki’s own nomination drew direct opposition from President Trump. President Nizar Amedi has 15 days under Article 76 to task the largest bloc’s nominee with forming a government.