Tishwash: With the start of Ramadan, a breakthrough is expected in the presidential deadlock, with the nomination of the candidate from the largest bloc.
Abdel Samad Zarkoushi, a member of the coordinating framework, predicted on Friday (February 13, 2026) that the candidate of the largest bloc would be appointed during the first days of the holy month of Ramadan.
Al-Zarkoushi told Baghdad Today that “dialogues and meetings of the Coordination Framework forces are continuing almost daily, and there are serious efforts to resolve the issue of the position of President of the Republic,” noting that “important understandings have been reached in the past few days, and are expected to be reflected in next week’s meetings.”
He added that “the readings available to us indicate that the issue of electing the President of the Republic and assigning the candidate of the largest bloc will be resolved in the first days of Ramadan,” noting that “the forces of the framework are still holding on to their candidate Nouri al-Maliki for the next government, and there are no changes in this direction.”
Al-Zarkoushi confirmed that “the forces of the framework will hold an important meeting next week, perhaps before the month of Ramadan, to discuss several issues, and its outcomes may lead to accelerating the pace of setting a session for the House of Representatives to vote on the President of the Republic, after which the latter will assign the candidate of the largest bloc.”
These statements come amid continued political deadlock over the appointment of the President and Prime Minister, following repeated rounds of talks between the Coordination Framework forces and other political forces.
The House of Representatives had failed in previous sessions to achieve the legal quorum necessary to elect the President of the Republic, which led to postponing the decision more than once, amid political tensions and disagreements over the candidates.
According to the Iraqi constitution, the election of the president of the republic precedes the step of assigning the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc to form the government, which makes this entitlement pivotal in ending the state of paralysis and moving towards forming a new government to manage the next stage. link
Tishwash: The Iraqi street is paying the price for bureaucratic delays, political inaction, and rising prices.
The political vacuum represents one of the most serious challenges facing the stability of countries emerging from accumulated crises, as the absence of central decision-making becomes a daily reality affecting every aspect of citizens’ lives. The Iraqi scene stands as a prime example, where the impact of political paralysis extends beyond the ruling elites to the public, the economy, the market, and the currency.
The delay in forming a government exacerbates the complexities of the economic and social crises, disrupting support programs, slowing investments, and eroding market confidence. Prices are rising faster than salaries, while demands for services are mounting in major cities. Observers note that local markets have begun to treat political timing as an economic indicator, as financial stability is now practically linked to the clarity of executive authority.
On the other hand, disagreements persist between the major blocs and lists, exceeding the constitutional deadlines for determining the president and prime minister, reflecting a structural flaw in the consensus-building mechanism. Negotiations have devolved into an open-ended tug-of-war, with each faction attempting to secure its position within the future power structure before even agreeing on the government itself.
The government formation crisis then takes on a form that is more a struggle over the nature of the next executive system than a mere competition for positions.
The parties are torn between a broad consensus government model and a political majority model, which is hindering any quick settlement, because the agreement is no longer just on names but on the rules of governance.
In parallel, the political vacuum has entered a critical phase after the constitutional deadlines for voting on senior positions were missed, leaving institutions in a state of administrative limbo. Ministries are hesitant to make long-term decisions for fear of political challenges or a sudden government reshuffle.
This reality is directly reflected in the economic and social fabric of the state, with the salary crisis and rising prices emerging as the first indicators of its impact. Economic anxiety transforms into a general mood that puts pressure on the political process, as citizens feel that the political crisis has shifted from the halls of parliament to the very means of sustenance.
The caretaker government headed by “Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani” operates within limited powers, so it cannot launch infrastructure projects, pass budgets, control the market and monetary policy, or confront the financial deficit. The state becomes a temporary administration, while the heavy economic files require full sovereign decisions. link
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Tishwash: Washington warns: Any Iraqi government must remain completely independent.
The acting US ambassador to Baghdad, Joe Harris, discussed with the head of the National Approach Alliance, Abdul Hussein al-Moussawi, on Thursday, ways to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Iraq, in order to achieve “tangible benefits” for both countries, stressing Washington’s readiness to use all available tools to confront Iranian “destabilizing” activities in Iraq, and emphasizing that any Iraqi government should be completely independent.
The embassy stated in a statement, which was followed by Network 964 , that “in his meeting with Dr. Al-Moussawi, Chargé d’Affaires Harris discussed the importance of a strong partnership between the United States and Iraq, which brings tangible benefits to Americans and Iraqis, within the framework of working to enhance our common interests, which are represented in preserving Iraqi sovereignty, promoting regional stability, and strengthening economic ties.”
Harris affirmed the United States’ readiness “to use the full range of tools at its disposal to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities in Iraq,” stressing that “any Iraqi government should remain fully independent and focused on promoting the national interests of all Iraqis.” link
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Tishwash: The European Bank launches financing programs for small and medium-sized enterprises in Iraq.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Friday the launch of a package of programs aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Iraq, providing specialized advisory services and financing facilities for these projects .
The bank also officially launched its first call for applications to join its flagship “Star Venture” program, inviting promising technology-based startups to participate through a competitive selection process, according to a statement received by Shafaq News Agency.
“This day is a milestone in our partnership with Iraq,” said Katarina Björlin Hansen, the bank’s country director for Iraq, during the launch ceremony for the bank’s programs. “We see promising potential in the Iraqi private sector, which is a key pillar for achieving sustainable growth and creating opportunities for future generations .”
She affirmed: “The bank is committed to working with our partners to foster an environment conducive to their growth and success,” noting that the bank “supports ambitious Iraqi entrepreneurs, helping them expand their businesses, employ more talent, and enhance their international competitiveness, through launching our programs to finance and develop small and medium enterprises, and launching the first local call for companies to join the program .”
The selected startups will receive specialized consulting services, international expertise, and opportunities to access networks of investors and mentors, which will support their growth and enable them to expand into regional and global markets, according to the office director .
The launch event was attended by representatives of the Iraqi government, the donor community, financial institutions, business associations, and private sector leaders, and formed a platform to promote common goals for the development of small and medium enterprises, enhance the competitiveness of Iraqi companies, and present solutions, cooperation opportunities, and financing .
The conference also provided valuable opportunities for communication, networking and introductions between small and medium enterprises and banks and development financial institutions, which contributed to strengthening cooperation with Iraqi business associations with which the bank will work to enhance trade networks and help identify and reduce obstacles to growth .
It is noted that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) began its operations in Iraq in September 2025, focusing on private sector development to improve access to finance, support local entrepreneurs, and promote long-term sustainable economic growth.
The bank supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by laying the foundations that enable them to grow, create jobs, and enhance their competitiveness. It also works through an integrated approach that combines financing, advisory support, and participation in policy formulation to build resilient institutions and sustainable local markets . link
