Baghdad: Iraq’s Coordination Framework alliance announced on Monday it had formed the majority bloc in the newly elected parliament, and said that it will nominate the next prime minister.
The announcement came after the electoral committee released the seat distribution from the November 11 general election.
Leaders of the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite factions, on Monday held their first meeting since the vote.
The Coordination Framework “has signed off on forming the largest parliamentary bloc, which includes all of its entities,” the alliance said in a statement.
It added that the newly formed bloc will nominate the next premier.
After Iraq’s 2021 ballot, the Coordination Framework came together to form the majority bloc and brought incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to power.
The electoral committee said on Monday that Sudani’s list had secured 46 seats in the 329-member parliament.
It is not yet clear if Sudani, who hopes to serve a second term, has joined the Coordination Framework alliance.
Individual groups within the Coordination Framework also scored well, with some winning more seats than in the previous parliament.
The State of Law Coalition led by former prime minister Nuri Al-Maliki won 29 seats.
The Asaib Ahl Al-Haq faction, designated as a terrorist organization by the US, secured 27 seats, up from 15.
The Badr organization headed by Hadi Al-Ameri won 21 seats.
Two sources in Shiite parties said the Framework groups hope to reach a full package deal — premier, speaker and president — before the new parliament convenes in January.
Post-elections talks between Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties in Iraq usually last for months.
Everything would be on the table, including ministerial portfolios and senior government posts.
By convention in Iraq, a Shiite Muslim holds the post of prime minister, a Sunni is parliament speaker, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.