As Iraq weighs a new prime minister, attention has shifted to the Shiite Coordination Framework, where Ali al-Shukry is emerging as a leading compromise candidate for the top post.

Over three consecutive meetings, Iraq’s National Sunni Political Council has failed to agree on a single candidate for the post of parliament speaker, the highest office representing the Sunni bloc under the country’s political norms since 2003.

All Sunni parties that won seats in the Iraqi election announced the formation of the National Political Council, positioning it as a unified umbrella similar to the Shiite Coordination Framework.

With Iraq’s parliamentary elections concluded, the winning alliances and parties have begun initial consultations to form the largest coalition that will select a candidate to lead the new government, amid deep divisions within the Coordination Framework.

Before Iraq’s elections, Washington made no secret of its desire to keep militias away from both the political and security arenas, arguing that their presence strengthens Iranian influence in the country.