Iraqi parliamentary blocs failed on Monday to name a candidate for the position of prime minister within the constitutional deadline. Disputes between Shiite blocs prevented a seven-member committee they had formed to name a candidate from completing its mission. The committee had narrowed down the candidates to three from over 30 potential nominees. This effectively keeps the three figures in the running for the job. Head of the Hikma movement Ammar al-Hakim announced that he was withdrawing from consultations to name a PM, underscoring the extent of the differences among the Shiite parties. He explained that his bloc refused to remain in the same cycle of “complacency and we expressed reservations over political calculations that do not take into consideration Iraq and the Iraqis’ higher interest.” He hoped that future consultations would focus on naming a candidate who would “restore the dignity of the state and prepare to hold early elections this year.” The Sairoon bloc, headed by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, announced the seven-member committee’s failure to designate a premier to form a new cabinet. The “State of Law” coalition, headed by former PM Nuri al-Maliki, meanwhile, announce that it would reject the appointment of a figure who does not enjoy consensus. This was seen as an indirect jibe at the Sairoon bloc after it had agreed that President Barham Salih name the PM. Shortly after the Shiite parties’ failure to select a PM, the Sairoon bloc had declared that Salih must exercise his constitutional rights in appointing one. Commenting on the dispute, former MP Haidar al-Malla told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The president cannot just wait for the political parties to resolve their differences.” “The president has constitutional options that give him the right to appoint a figure,” he stressed. Politburo member of the Hikma movement Fadi al-Shammari said the party had rejected partisan candidates and insisted that an independent figure be chosen. Such a figure would be tasked with preparing for early elections, confronting the new coronavirus and addressing the impact the global economic crisis is having on Iraq, he told Asharq Al-Awsat. He revealed that consultations among the Shiite parties started off as promising, but in the final moments, personal interests started to hold sway and the talks collapsed. The Hikma movement has long adopted a moderate approach in politics and in dealing with its partners, he stressed. “Our position is clear, we will no longer take part in any useless and dishonest dialogue.” Independent politician Mohammed al-Aykali told Asharq Al-Awsat that the political process in Iraq is based on “structural flaws” that have never been revised in recent years. “In fact, these flaws have deepened, which has led us to this current empty cycle.”