ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Coordination Framework is struggling to agree on a new Iraqi prime minister, with internal disagreements and a long list of candidates slowing the process, a senior member of the bloc said on Saturday.

As discussions continue between Iraq’s political forces regarding the formation of the next government and its leader, the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework has shortlisted nine candidates for the next prime minister.

The list includes current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, former premiers Nouri al-Maliki and Haider al-Abadi, National Security Advisor Qassim al-Araji, and intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri.

Moeen al-Kadhimi, a senior Coordination Framework member, told The New Region that reaching an agreement “in the near future” remains unlikely, citing “major challenges” inside the Shiite political alliance. He said the number of proposed candidates and differing positions among member parties are complicating efforts to settle on one name.

“There is difficulty in reaching an agreement on selecting the prime minister,” Kadhimi said. “The process is facing major challenges because of the large number of candidates and the differing views among the political forces within the Framework.”

Kadhimi said internal disputes are standing in the way of a quick consensus. “There are many names being put forward for the position, which increases the complexity of the political scene,” he said. Each party inside the bloc has its own priorities, he added, making it harder to agree on the most suitable candidate.

He said consultations are ongoing but stressed that no clear sign of progress has emerged. “So far, there is no indication that a final candidate will be announced soon,” Kadhimi said, adding that discussions are expected to continue for several more weeks.

Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition emerged as the main party in the country in the November elections after securing 46 seats. His bid for a second term is largely challenged by Maliki, whose State of Law Coalition won 29 seats in the recent elections, placing third.