Amedi presses Coordination Framework to name PM candidate before deadline

BAGHDAD — President Nizar Amedi on Wednesday urged the Coordination Framework to nominate a prime minister candidate within the constitutional deadline, during a meeting with State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki.

Amedi stressed “the importance of completing constitutional requirements within the specified timelines,” calling on the framework to “name a candidate for prime minister within the constitutional deadline and work to form a government that meets the aspirations of Iraqis and strengthens development in the country,” according to a presidency statement.

The framework earlier Wednesday postponed a meeting scheduled for the evening until Friday, saying the delay would allow more time for dialogue. The bloc failed to agree on a candidate Monday, pushing the session first to Wednesday and then to Friday.

The Dawa Party has maintained Maliki remains its official nominee and that his candidacy “has not been withdrawn,” while rival factions say eight blocs back incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani against four for Maliki. Two other names remain under consideration: Basim al-Badri, head of the Accountability and Justice Commission, and Ihsan al-Awadi, director of Sudani’s office, proposed by the Reconstruction and Development bloc.

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