Coordination Framework seeks to overcome deadlock on key issues

The Coordination Framework is set to convene this evening to deliberate on several critical political issues. Here is an overview of the main topics expected to be discussed:

Election of New Speaker

There is speculation that a session to elect a new parliament speaker could take place by the end of this week. However, there remains no consensus on the election mechanism. One option is to continue from the previous voting round held in May and proceed with a second round featuring the top two candidates, Salim Al-Eisawi and Mahmud Al-Mashhadani. Under this scenario Eisawi would almost certainly come out on top.

Alternatively, some favor reaching consensus over a compromise candidate and then presenting this candidate for a parliamentary vote. This would necessitate amending the parliament’s internal bylaws to allow for a new nominee. Despite the Coordination Framework's request for Masoud Barzani to mediate with the competing Sunni factions during his recent visit to Baghdad, reaching an agreement on a compromise candidate remains unlikely because Taqaddum remains insistent that it represents the majority of Sunnis and has the sole right to the speakership.