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Coalition Headed by Sudani Begins to Takes Shape ahead of Iraq Parliamentary Elections

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP)
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP)
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Coalition Headed by Sudani Begins to Takes Shape ahead of Iraq Parliamentary Elections

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP)
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP)

Iraqi Minister of Labor Ahmed al-Asadi announced on Friday that he would take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections as part of a coalition led by Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani.

Speaking in a televised interview, his remarks may have revealed the PM’s intention to form such a coalition when he has yet to make an official announcement about it.

Asadi added: “Sudani has yet to reveal his political program. Several candidates are expected to join his electoral list should he announce it to secure an easy victory given his approval among the people.”

Asadi, a prominent member of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework, is the first official to reveal Sudani’s coalition.

Sources predicted that the coalition will begin to take shape in the coming days.

Meanwhile, head of the State of Law coalition, former PM Nouri al-Maliki indirectly expressed his opposition to Sudani being appointed premier for a second term.

He told local media that “services projects provided by the government do not necessarily ensure that it would be sworn in for a second term” – a reference to Sudani.

Moreover, he remarked: “Securing the position of prime minister does not depend on the number of seats won in the upcoming parliamentary elections.”

Even if a candidate were to win 60 seats, agreements between the political forces lead to the appointment of a PM, he added.

Asked about the electoral law that has exposed divisions between the Shiite powers, Maliki said he prefers a law that is based on several electoral districts, a position that contrasts with Sudani’s.

Sudani has advocated the current law that is based on a single electoral district.

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France Says Unaware of Algerian Trade Curbs as Tensions Build

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Says Unaware of Algerian Trade Curbs as Tensions Build

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

France said on Thursday that it was not aware of any official measures imposed by Algeria on its imports and exports, but would keep a close eye on the situation as diplomatic sources suggested Algiers may be preparing trade restrictions.
Ties between Paris and Algiers have worsened in recent weeks since France recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, which Morocco wants the international community to recognize as Moroccan, Reuters said.
The decision angered Algiers, which backs the Polisario Front that is seeking an independent state.
"We have not been made aware of such measures, but we are closely watching the situation for our companies in Algeria," France's foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told reporters at a weekly news conference.
The office of Algerian Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui issued a statement denying the contents of a post on X by France's former ambassador Xavier Driencourt which shows a screenshot of a document that appears to outline restrictions on imports and exports. Reuters was not able to authenticate the document and Driencourt did not respond to a request for comment.
"Following the false allegations promoted by the former French ambassador to Algeria ... regarding the alleged restrictive measures on foreign trade, the press office of the Prime Minister would like to categorically deny this information which is completely unfounded," it said in a statement.
According to three diplomats, there has been a concerted effort in recent months by Algeria to toughen the business environment for French firms, including wheat exporters.
The diplomats said there had been some signals in recent days that Algiers may look to specifically target French imports and exports, although there had been no official confirmation at this stage.
Algerian officials did not respond to Reuters' requests for comments.
BANKING SPAT
In 2022, Algeria's banking association ordered the end of payments to and from Spain after an official trade ministry directive, although it exempted key gas exports.
That rift, which has since calmed, was also over Madrid's stance on Western Sahara.
French daily newspaper Le Figaro newspaper reported on Thursday that the banking association in the North African country had met banks on Nov 4. and informed them of a potential measure.
Two diplomats told Reuters they were aware of that meeting, but cautioned that the association could not take such a decision unilaterally.
Several French companies operating in Algeria contacted by Reuters said they had not received any new directives and French officials said at this stage no companies had approached them with any specific difficulties.
Grain traders have reported that Algeria overlooked France in wheat tenders last month due to the diplomatic tensions, though Algerian state grains agency OAIC said it treated all suppliers fairly and applied technical requirements to cover its import needs.
The reported trade obstacles echo a diplomatic dispute three years ago that led to France being sidelined from its former colony's wheat tenders for months. Trade between the two countries grew more than 5% in 2023 with hydrocarbon exports from Algeria to France increasing about 15%, although imports to Algeria from France dropped 0.5%, according to the French finance ministry.