In a move aimed at breaking a prolonged political deadlock, Iraq’s dominant Shia Coordination Framework is set to hold a pivotal meeting Monday evening to settle internal disputes and finalize its candidate for the country’s next prime minister.

The high-stakes gathering, confirmed by an official source to Baghdad Al-Yawm, will bring together the bloc's senior leaders at the residence of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who heads the State of Law Coalition. The primary objective is to "finalize the name of the prime ministerial candidate" and conclude weeks of internal debate as political forces race against constitutional timelines.

With the first session of the newly elected parliament approaching, the meeting will focus not only on potential nominees but also on the essential criteria for the next head of government. According to the source, these include the proven ability to manage Iraq's deep political divisions, acute economic pressures, and persistent security challenges.

While current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is widely considered a leading contender for a second term, the source emphasized that no decision is guaranteed. The final choice will depend entirely on the negotiations, with internal voting mechanisms ready should a consensus fail to emerge.

The urgent push underscores mounting pressure on the Shia coalition to present a unified front. Prolonged internal fractures could delay the entire government formation process, a scenario that has led to extended political paralysis in the past. Other political blocs have increasingly called for expedited negotiations, especially after the formal certification of election results triggered the constitutional clock for forming a government.

Under Iraq’s political system, the largest parliamentary bloc—currently the Shia Coordination Framework—holds the authority to nominate the prime minister, who must then form a cabinet and secure majority approval from parliament.