Iraq’s Shia-led blocs yesterday gave themselves five days to pick a single candidate for prime minister, and one politician said the incumbent, Nuri al-Maliki, was in a strong position to gain a second term.
Members of the Iran-friendly Iraqi National Alliance (INA) and of Maliki’s State of Law coalition met in his office to try to end six months of political deadlock since the March vote.
They said afterwards they had decided to pick one candidate by consensus, and to abandon all coalition talks with other parties until they had a single nominee for prime minister.
“Doubtless all the indications suggest that Mr Maliki has the best chance,” former deputy speaker of parliament and senior member of State of Law, Khalid al-Attiya, said.
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