ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq’s State of Law Coalition said Monday that a political “veto” against renewing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s mandate remains in place, driven by objections from multiple parties.

Zuhair al-Jalabi, a senior coalition member, told The New Region that the opposition stems from Sudani’s previous embroilment in a wiretapping scandal, which the premier called "the lie of the century," and accusations that blocs were dismantled and MPs removed through what he termed “intimidation and inducement.”

In August 2024, a wiretapping network inside the government building was unveiled, with Mohammed Juhi, assistant director of the administrative department at Sudani’s office, at its helm. Juhi and an accomplice were later sentenced to four years in prison over the scandal.

Jalabi said that Sudani’s chances for a second term are now “very low,” while State of Law leader Nouri al-Maliki appears to have stronger support from within the ruling Coordination Framework and from Kurdish and Sunni partners.

Maliki’s State of Law Coalition came in third place in Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections, securing 29 seats out of the 329-seat legislature. The other two top parties were the Reconstruction and Development Alliance, led by Sudani, which secured 46 seats, and the Taqadum Party and its coalitions, led by Sunni strongman Mohammed al-Halbousi, which garnered 36 seats.

Maliki, who served as premier between 2006 and 2014, was nominated to be Iraq's next prime minister by the Islamic Dawa Party on Saturday.

Separately, Mohammed al-Akeeli of the Reconstruction and Development Alliance said his group may join the opposition if Sudani is denied a second term.

He added that the Coordination Framework could seek additional ministries and that top state positions will be settled together.

Akeeli said his alliance is closest to the National Shiite Movement led by influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who boycotted the recent parliamentary elections held on November 11, but has not opened formal channels.

He also noted that Reconstruction and Development holds one-third of the Framework’s seats, and half of the remaining members still back Sudani.

He confirmed Sudani attended the Framework’s recent meeting “as he holds the majority within the Framework.”