The fourth effort this year by Iraqi lawmakers to pick a state president and end the year-long political impasse plagued by fatal violence that has worsened the country's economic troubles will take place on Thursday.
Oil-rich General elections in Iraq, which took place more than a year ago as a result of widespread protests against systemic corruption, high unemployment, and deteriorating infrastructure, have not yet resulted in the formation of a new administration.
This week, a UN mission warned of "divisive politics, fostering severe public disenchantment," saying that "the protracted crisis is nurturing more instability" in the war-torn nation.
In Baghdad's Green Zone, a guarded government and diplomatic district that recently served as the location of sizable protest camps erected by competing factions, parliament is scheduled to begin meeting at 11:00 am (0800 GMT).
Lawmakers in the past three failed attempts to elect a new head of state, in February and March, did not even reach the required two-thirds threshold — 220 out of 329 — for a quorum.
Democratic institutions built since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein remain fragile, and neighbouring Iran wields major influence.
For the past year, Iraq has not only been without a new government but also without a state budget, locking up billions in oil revenues and obstructing much-needed reforms and infrastructure projects.
– 30 candidates, three front runners –
Iraq’s rival Shiite Muslim political factions have been vying for influence and the right to select a new premier and form a government, with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi left in charge in a caretaker capacity.On one hand is the fiery cleric Moqtada Sadr, who wants parliament dissolved and new elections.
On the other sits the Coordination Framework, an alliance of pro-Iran Shiite factions — including former paramilitaries — that wants a new government before fresh elections are held.
The standoff has seen both sides set up protest camps, and at times has sparked deadly street clashes in Baghdad.
Tensions boiled over on August 29 when more than 30 Sadr supporters were killed in battles between Iran-backed factions and the army.
The largely honorific post of Iraqi president is traditionally reserved for a Kurd.
It generally goes to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), while the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) keeps control over the affairs of autonomous Kurdistan in northern Iraq.
However, the KDP is also eyeing the presidency and could present its own candidate.
“It is still not clear that the Kurdish parties have come to an agreement on a president,” said Hamzeh Hadad, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.
Among the 30 candidates, top contenders include the incumbent, President Barham Saleh of the PUK, aged 61, and current Kurdistan Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed of the KDP, aged 54.
Abdel Latif Rashid, aged 78, a former water resources minister and ex-PUK leader running as an independent, has been suggested as a potential consensus candidate.
But the race remains open.
“Any president, that is not the strongest candidate of either the two main Kurdish parties will struggle to make a mark in Baghdad,” said analyst Lahib Higel from the International Crisis Group.
– Next step, new PM –
Once elected, the president will appoint a prime minister -– chosen by the largest coalition in parliament –- who will then begin arduous negotiations to choose their cabinet.“What is expected is that whoever is chosen, will designate a prime minister right away to form a government,” said Hadad.
Key runners for prime minister are the Coordination Framework’s candidate, former minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, 52.
Hadad believes Sudani is the most likely to be premier but noted that “anything can change in Iraqi politics till the last minute”.
The pro-Iran Coordination Framework draws together the Fatah alliance and lawmakers from the party of Sadr’s longtime foe, former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki.
When Sudani was proposed in July, it sparked mass protests that outraged Sadr supporters, who breached the Green Zone and stormed parliament.