I just woke up and sat down with my coffee to see a DK diary about a coup in Iraq.
So I take a quick look at several regional media and - nothing.
So where's the coup?
The Iraqi PM and the Iraqi President are in disagreement, but it's not a coup.
And one more thing. The Iraqi President actually was calling bullshit on those who constantly complain about Maliki. But in doing so it seems he has violated the constitution - if I remember correctly. I'll check that later.
He said weeks ago 'You don't like Maliki you say. So get together, form a coalition, and present another candidate for PM.'
They haven't and most probably won't/can't.
Why?
Because there may be a general dislike of Maliki, but there is much more dislike and distrust of the other candidates who have been discussed.
But I'll keep checking the media, etc.
And by the way Maliki is still the PM because the other parties are so fractured that they can't even put another candidate forward.
Maliki hasn't siezed anything he is just still the PM.
And remember it took nine months of negotiations four years ago to set up the Iraqi cabinet.
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Just to clarify: The Iraqi President has to call on the leader of the largest bloc in the Iraqi Parliament to form a government.
As of Sunday - the deadline - Maliki was the head of the largest bloc and he asserts that he should have appointed by the president.
For weeks the President of Iraq has been asking the parties in parliament to form a coalition (bloc) and put forward a candidiate. As of Sunday night they hadn't.
Until Maliki is replaced by the parliament - if they can agree on a replacement - he will continue to be the Prime Minister.
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UPDATE 7:25pm (in Turkey): This afternoon Iraq's president asked Haider al-Abadi, who reportedly was nominated by a coalition of Shia parties, to form a government.
If he can and then gets a vote of confidence from the Iraqi parliament he will become the new Prime Minister.
Abadi has 30 days to form a new government.
Prime Minister Maliki remains the caretaker prime minister and will until a new PM is approved by parliament.
Maliki may challenge the president's decision on the grounds that it was done unconstitutionally.
If it can be proven that the coalition of Shia parties, even if it is a new coalition, is the largest bloc the president's actions may stand.
On the other hand if the coalition of Shia parties isn't the largest bloc and/or quickly breaks up the president's action may be declared unconstitutional.