Iraqi lawmakers will elect a new president on Tuesday, with the largely ceremonial role expected to go to a Kurd before appointing Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister.
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s parliament will convene on Tuesday to elect the country’s new president.
The largely ceremonial presidency is expected to go to a Kurd, in keeping with the nation’s political convention.
Parliamentary speaker Haibat al-Halbussi announced the session, according to the official INA press agency.
The elected president will then have 15 days to appoint a prime minister.
The prime minister is typically nominated by the largest Shiite bloc formed through post-election alliances.
On Saturday, the Shiite Coordination Framework alliance endorsed former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki (pic) as the country’s next premier.
The alliance cited his “political and administrative experience and his record in running the state”.
Kurdish parties have yet to agree on a single presidential candidate.
The candidate must be endorsed by other blocs and win a two-thirds majority in parliament.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) usually holds the presidency, but the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has named Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein as its candidate.
Although Maliki’s endorsement effectively guarantees him the post, forming a new government remains a daunting challenge.
The designated premier has one month to form a government and present it to parliament for a vote of confidence.
The 75-year-old Maliki is set to return to power amid seismic changes in the Middle East.
Government formation must balance internal political dynamics and power-sharing among major parties.
This occurs under the continued influence of Iraq’s two main allies, Iran and the United States.
A close Iran ally, Maliki will be expected to address Washington’s demand that Baghdad dismantle Tehran-backed factions.
Last month, Iraqi officials and diplomats said Washington demanded the eventual government exclude Iran-backed armed groups.
Many of these groups hold seats in parliament and have seen their political and financial clout increase.
Iraq is struggling with weak economic growth and cannot risk punitive measures by the US.
Washington has already sanctioned several Iraqi entities, accusing them of helping Tehran evade sanctions.
