Coordination Framework eyes control of local governments

Iraq’s leading political blocs have begun jockeying over control of the new provincial governments following the release of preliminary election results. The Coordination Framework has already announced a post-election pact that seeks to consolidate its control over the central and southern provinces.

Last week, following the release of preliminary election results, the Coordination Framework met and announced in a statement that its constituent parties intend to work together as a unified bloc in order to secure the governorships of as many provinces as possible.

The Coordination Framework’s announcement confirmed what Nouri Al-Maliki had indicated prior to the elections in a televised interview on December 14. Maliki said that the parties within the Coordination Framework had agreed to a unified post-election pact in order to secure a majority of provincial council seats in the central and southern provinces.

Provincial governors are elected based on an absolute majority of provincial council members. The preliminary election results show that the Coordination Framework holds a majority in around 8 of the 15 provinces, although it depends on which parties are included in the pact.

The Coordination Framework is made up of 4 key parties and coalitions: Nabni Alliance (Ameri), State of Law Coalition (Maliki), State Forces Coalition (Hakim/Abadi), and Abshir Ya Iraq (Hamudi). Combined, these parties secured a total of around 110 seats out of 275 seats.