ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s coalition on Sunday denied reports that Shiite top forces have reached an agreement on nominating a “compromise” candidate for the premiership, stressing that Sudani remains the most likely candidate.

Negotiations between the leaders of Iraq’s ruling Coordination Framework appear to have reached an impasse, with the parties failing to agree on a unanimous candidate for the country’s next prime minister. In statements to local media, sources from the Shiite umbrella group report that the competition is now between Sudani and former premier Nouri al-Maliki, while some float the idea of a “compromise” nominee that is accepted by all.

“What is being circulated in some media outlets and social media platforms regarding the nomination of a new candidate for the prime ministership by the Coordination Framework is not true,” Saif al-Mansouri, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Alliance, told The New Region.

“We affirm that Sudani remains the strongest and closest candidate within the Framework and enjoys clear support based on the stability and achievements made during the past period,” Mansouri added, claiming that “such news aims to confuse public opinion and disrupt the political scene.”

Reports have circulated in recent days about a potential nomination of Basim al-Badri, chairman of Iraq’s National Commission for Justice and Accountability, for the premiership.

Amer al-Faiz, a leading figure within the Framework, refuted the claims of Badri’s nomination as baseless, telling The New Region, “there is currently no person who has been determined or who is close to the premiership, and everything that is circulating is just speculation or leaks that are not based on confirmed information.”

Yasser al-Maliki, a senior member of the State of Law Coalition, also denied the reports about a “compromise” candidate, describing the rumors as “fabricated statements with no validity.

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 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.