ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq's ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on Saturday announced State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for Iraq's prime minister position "by a majority vote," the ruling bloc said in a statement.

"After in-depth and extensive discussion, the Coordination Framework decided by majority vote to nominate Mr. Nouri Kamel al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister, as the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, based on his political and administrative experience and his role in managing the state," the framework said after a meeting on Saturday.

Maliki's office confirmed his candidacy to The New Region on January 10, saying that the Coordination Framework had nominated him as its sole candidate to serve a third term in the position.

Maliki previously served two terms as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, stepping down during his second term amid major security setbacks linked to the rise of the Islamic State group and ongoing corruption allegations, factors that continue to shape debate over his potential return to office.

"The Coordination Framework affirms its full commitment to the constitutional process and its keenness to work with all national forces to form a strong and effective government capable of confronting challenges, providing services, and protecting Iraq's security and unity," the framework said, calling on the Iraqi parliament to convene and elect a president for the country.

Less than two weeks after Iraq concluded its sixth parliamentary elections, the Islamic Dawa Party announced in late November that it was fielding its leader Maliki for the premiership.

Earlier in January, reports emerged that incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, who was the main victor of Iraq's November parliamentary elections with 46 seats, had stepped down and thrown his weight behind Maliki, supporting him to reassume the position.

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, and the Sunni Taqadum Party, led by Mohammed al-Halbousi.

The next step in the Iraqi government formation is the election of the president, which must be completed by January 28.

The elected president then names a prime minister-designate selected by the parliament’s top bloc, in this case Framework’s Maliki, and tasks him with forming the next Iraqi cabinet in accordance with constitutional timelines.

Updated with background at 9:15 pm.