ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework met on Monday to discuss the latest developments nearly a month after parliamentary elections were held, saying “significant progress” was made in choosing the country’s next prime minister. 

“The meeting witnessed significant progress in the discussion of selecting the new prime minister candidate. Attendants discussed the ongoing communications with national forces and among the forces within the framework,” the Coordination Framework said in a statement. 

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

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

In the statement, the Coordination Framework stressed that “specific deadlines for finalizing the necessary procedures” were agreed upon during the meeting. 

“The Coordination Framework also affirmed its support for steps that strengthen joint action among political forces, contributing to unified positions on current challenges and safeguarding the country’s best interests,” it said. 

Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition emerged as the main party in the country in the November elections after securing 46 seats, while Maliki’s State of Law Coalition won 29 seats in the recent elections, placing third.

The Coordination Framework, an umbrella bloc of Shiite parties, was formed in 2022, mainly to challenge Muqatada al-Sadr’s attempts at forming a national majority government. The Framework nominated Sudani for prime minister in October 2022, following the withdrawal of Sadr from the political process, and has been the main power-holder in the Iraqi government since.