Who's In Line To Become Iraq Prime Minister?
Updated: 3:24pm UK, Tuesday 01 July 2014
By Michelle Clifford, Senior News Correspondent
Iraq's parliament has convened for the first time since April's election, with current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki fighting to hold onto his post.
Although his Shia State of Law coalition pulled in most of the votes, his personal currency has waned during the current crisis.
Regarded by many as a divisive figure, his failure to halt the Sunni insurgency has left Mr al-Maliki struggling for support even within Shia ranks.
Some former political allies have turned foe and are battling to deny him a third term.
Under a de facto agreement in the years since Saddam Hussein was ousted, Iraq's prime minister is a Shia, the president a Kurd and the speaker of parliament is a Sunni.
The political factions are vying for positions and power and, in the past, the process of forming the government has taken months.
But, amid the violence, there is pressure internally and internationally to form a "unity government" as soon as possible.
Shia politicians have been in secret talks for days and, while Mr al-Maliki is a contentious choice, he is still on the list to go forward for prime minister.
But other names have leaked out.
Mr al-Maliki's current Chief of Staff, Tariq Najm, is being tipped as a favourite. He has a low profile but wields considerable power behind the scenes and knows the mechanics of government and international diplomacy like few others.
But, as a member of Mr al-Maliki's Dawa party, the close association with the PM, vilified by Sunnis and Kurds, may make him a difficult choice.
Former Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul-Mahdi is a leading figure in the Citizen's bloc (formerly known as the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council) - a political party seen as close to Iran.
The French-speaking economist has long been touted as a potential prime minister. He has given Mr al-Maliki a close run for his money before.
Ibrahim al-Jaafari was actually Mr al-Maliki's predecessor as prime minister and is head of the National Alliance - a Shia coalition which includes the premier's party and rival parties.
He was ousted in favour of Mr al-Maliki in 2006, when Iraq was embroiled in brutal civil conflict, because he was seen as too sectarian by a minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds.
Former deputy prime minister Ahmed Chalabi is probably the one name familiar to many outside of Iraq.
It was his faulty intelligence information which encouraged the US to invade Iraq in 2003.
He is now seen as closer to Iran, with the US military even accusing him of being "influenced" by Tehran. A seasoned politician, he has never managed to attract wide support in Iraq.
The challenge for parliament will be to choose a Shia politician who can establish a working relationship with Sunni Arabs and Kurds because their support will be needed in tackling the insurgency in the north and west of Iraq.
Mr al-Maliki was resistant to making compromises with Sunnis on the formation of federal territory.
He cut the monthly budget to the Kurdish region and reportedly even refused military help offered by the Kurds to tackle the ISIS militants.
ISIS was flaunting its military success as parliament met. In the Syrian town of Raqqa, it held a parade that included a display of military hardware. Tanks, rockets and militiamen celebrating the establishment of an Islamic state which straddles Iraq and Syria.
Fears about ISIS' high profile drawing in young radicalised recruits focused the minds of Iraqi parliamentarians today. They agreed that quelling the violence was the priority.
But, in a sign of how difficult establishing a government to do that may be, the session broke up prematurely due to lack of agreement. They will be back in parliament next week.
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