Iraqi PM joins majority bloc in parliament

Iraq’s incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said on Tuesday he had joined the country’s main alliance, the majority bloc that will nominate the next premier.

The move by Sudani, who is seeking a second term as prime minister, gives the Coordination Framework alliance of Shiite factions an outright majority of 175 seats in the 329-seat chamber.

During a conference in the northern city of Duhok, Sudani said his alliance “the Reconstruction and Development coalition is part of the Coordination Framework, which has decided to form the largest bloc.”

He added that seeking a second term “is not about personal ambition, but about fulfilling his responsibility to see through the mission.”

During his first term Sudani had pursued policies vowing reconstruction and stability in Iraq.

He added that talks will begin among key parties about naming the new premier, speaker and president.

By convention in Iraq, a Shiite Muslim holds the post of prime minister, a Sunni is parliament speaker, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

On Monday, the Coordination Framework alliance announced that it had formed the majority bloc, which would ultimately nominate the next prime minister.

Brought to power three years ago by the Framework, Sudani’s own list secured 46 seats in the chamber.

Joining the Coordination Framework does not guarantee Sudani a second term.

Long-term powerbrokers within the Coordination Framework worry that he has amassed too much power during his first term, making some reluctant to allow him to keep his seat.

Within the Coordination Framework, whose members have varying ties to Iran, some individual groups also scored well, with some winning more seats than in the previous parliament.

Post-election talks between Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties in Iraq usually last for months, with constitutional deadlines frequently missed.

But as Iraq has recently regained some stability after decades of war, key parties hope to reach a full package deal — premier, speaker and president — before the new parliament convenes in January.

Agence France-Presse