Coordination Framework pursues deescalation with Sunni and Kurdish counterparts

The Coordination Framework has intensified its efforts to resolve outstanding issues with its Sunni and Kurdish counterparts in an attempt to deescalate political tensions amid the potential return of Muqtada Al-Sadr to the political scene.

On Monday evening, the Framework met to finalize a unified position on the election of the speaker of parliament. One faction, led by Ammar Al-Hakim, supported amending parliament’s internal bylaws to allow Mohammed Al-Halbusi to nominate a new candidate. However, the majority opinion in yesterday's meeting decided against this course, strengthening the position of Salim Al-Eisawi to assume the speakership. Although the Coordination Framework did not provide further details, it is likely that a session will be held next week to elect the new speaker before parliament goes into recess on May 9.

Halbusi’s Taqadum Party has indicated it might withdraw entirely from the political process if the speakership is awarded to its rivals. Anwar Al-Alwani of Taqadum told reporters today, "There is a political and constitutional entitlement, and a political custom upon which the three presidencies in Iraq were formed, including the parliament's presidency, which belongs to the Taqadum Party due to its Sunni parliamentary majority."

Alwani also noted, "Awarding this position to this minority would compel us in the Taqadum Party to withdraw from parliament, the government, and the overall political process, which is contingent on agreements between the political forces."