Iraq’s Coordination Framework: a new government will be formed this October

The Iraqi Coordination Framework (CF) revealed that the next government would be formed before the end of October, confirming that the dialogue among the political forces would continue in this regard.

A CF deputy, Gharib Askar, said, “The Framework continues the dialogue with the political forces to form the new government. We will find a radical solution to resolve the crisis in the coming days.”

Askar revealed that the Parliamentary sessions would be resumed next week, but there is no scheduled time to elect the head of the state,” noting that “the new government will be formed before the end of this month.”

Iraq marked its most extended post-election deadlock as the delay in choosing the president, in particular, prevented the formation of a government.

More than nine months after the October election, lawmakers tasked with choosing a president and prime minister looked no closer to an agreement, bringing the country to a record without a head of state or cabinet.

The outgoing government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi continues to run the country. However, if parties cannot agree on a new government, Kadhimi might stay as caretaker until new elections can be held.

In a sign of further potential delays, thousands of supporters of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed Baghdad’s parliament, chanting slogans against his political rivals just days after they indicated agreement on a potential prime minister.

Iraqis say the situation is exacerbating a lack of services and jobs even as Baghdad earns record oil income because of high crude prices and has seen no significant wars since the defeat of SISI five years ago.

Sadr’s supporters broke into Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, which hosts foreign embassies and government buildings in central Baghdad, streaming past police and chanting.

Disagreement among the main Kurdish parties that run the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq prevents the selection of a president – who, once chosen by parliament, names a prime minister.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party has held the presidency since 2003.

Their rivals, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which claimed the most significant number of Kurdish votes by far, are insisting on their presidential candidate. But unfortunately, neither side appears willing to budge.