Framework delayed PM decision to await US-Iran talks outcome, politician says

BAGHDAD — Leaders of the Coordination Framework postponed naming a prime minister candidate at a recent meeting in order to await the outcome of negotiations between Washington and Tehran, a politician familiar with the discussions has said.

“The apparent reason was the dispute over the two-thirds mechanism, but the underlying reason was waiting for the U.S.-Iran negotiations and what they will lead to,” Aziz al-Rubaie, secretary-general of the National Line Movement, said in a televised interview.

Rubaie said the meeting, held at the home of Hikma Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim, included Accountability and Justice Commission head Basim al-Badri waiting in a nearby room with a political vision prepared in the event he was named as a candidate. Leaders decided at the last moment to delay the announcement, he said.

Rubaie predicted the framework would not reach conclusions at its Friday meeting either, adding that Sudani and others may yet propose former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as a compromise candidate. He attributed the deadlock to “stubbornness and narcissism” among political leaders and said reliance on external actors had distorted decision-making. “We have reached a point where we wait for a signal from the Americans or approval from the Iranians to choose the prime minister,” he said.

The Coordination Framework’s nomination of Maliki in January drew direct U.S. opposition, with Trump warning Washington could halt support for Iraq if Maliki returned to power. The Dawa Party has maintained his candidacy “has not been withdrawn,” while rival factions say eight blocs back incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani against four for Maliki. Badri and Ihsan al-Awadi, director of Sudani’s office, remain under consideration as alternatives.

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.