A delegation from Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), the largest bloc in parliament, will meet with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Sunday. The two sides aim to resolve the Iraq presidency deadlock, an Iraqi official told reporters.
Wafa Mohammed, a KDP lawmaker, explained that the CF hopes to finalize the presidential nomination quickly and smoothly. She added that resolving the presidency is crucial before naming Iraq’s next premier.
This meeting occurs just days before parliament plans a session to vote on the presidency. Earlier this week, Parliament Speaker Haibet Al-Halbousi postponed the vote due to low attendance. Only 85 lawmakers were present, below the required quorum.
Al-Halbousi said Kurdish blocs requested the delay to allow extra time for consultations. The discussions mainly involve the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the two leading Kurdish parties. They need to reach consensus before the vote.
Iraq follows an informal power-sharing system. Under this arrangement, the presidency goes to a Kurdish politician, usually contested between the KDP and PUK. Meanwhile, the prime minister position is reserved for a Shiite, and the parliamentary speaker is traditionally Sunni.
Political observers note that the Iraq presidency deadlock has slowed government formation. Without a president, naming the prime minister becomes impossible. As a result, negotiations have intensified over the past weeks.
Constitutional rules require parliament to elect a president within one month of its first session. This deadline passed on January 28, further increasing pressure on lawmakers to act. Analysts warn that extended delays could weaken public confidence in political institutions.
Despite challenges, both CF and KDP officials remain optimistic. They stress that careful dialogue can prevent political tensions from escalating. Meanwhile, other Kurdish and Shiite parties are closely watching the talks.
The upcoming session on Sunday could finally end the Iraq presidency deadlock. All eyes in Baghdad will focus on whether the parties can agree and move the government formation process forward. If successful, this step would pave the way for selecting Iraq’s next prime minister and stabilizing parliamentary operations.
