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Cross-sectarian bloc emerges in Iraq

As none of the political coalitions are able to hold a legal session for selecting the president that requires two-thirds of the members, the Iraqi political scene is facing a deadlock.

A general view shows the interior of the Iraqi parliament building, Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2020.
A general view shows the interior of the Iraqi parliament building, Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 27, 2020. — Sabah Arar/AFP via Getty Images

Amid the political deadlock in Baghdad, the two Shiite axes are competing over forming the new government. While the Sadrist movement with 75 members is looking for a majority government in collaboration with the majority of Sunnis and Kurds, the Coordination Framework with 64 members, which includes the Iran-backed parties, are calling for a consensual government.

In an unprecedented development, Sadrists and their Sunni and Kurdish partners announced March 25 the formation of a cross-sectarian coalition as the largest bloc, which is in charge of nominating the prime minister. It includes the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) with 31 members and the Sunni Coalition of Sovereignty with 62 members. The new coalition is being formed under the name of Enqadh Watan (Save the Homeland).

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