Coordination Framework delays key meeting on PM decision to Friday

BAGHDAD — The Coordination Framework postponed its planned Wednesday meeting to Friday, citing the need for more time to agree on a prime ministerial candidate before a constitutional deadline.

“It was decided to postpone the Coordination Framework meeting to Friday to allow more space for dialogue and to reach a result within the constitutional period,” the alliance’s General Secretariat said.

Earlier Wednesday, Hikma Movement spokesperson Hussam al-Hasani said leaders had agreed any candidate must secure backing from at least eight of 12 bloc leaders representing a minimum of 110 members of parliament. “We in Hikma will support any name that achieves the equation,” he said.

Divisions persist. The Dawa Party has maintained that Nouri al-Maliki remains its official nominee and that his candidacy “has not been withdrawn,” while rival factions say eight blocs back incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani against four supporting Maliki.

Secretary-General Abbas al-Amiri said after Monday’s meeting that discussions were “very positive” but required more time, adding that “all opinions regarding the prime ministerial candidate were presented and discussed, but the matter needs time.”

President Nizar Amedi has 15 days from his April 12 inauguration under Article 76 to task the largest bloc’s nominee with forming a government.