The State of Law Coalition, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, has not put forward a new candidate for the premiership. The coalition instead hopes to see Maliki in the post for a renewed third term, but this scenario is rejected by the majority of the political coalitions planning to participate in parliamentary elections scheduled for April 30.

Members of the State of Law Coalition believe that Maliki, prime minister since 2006, has proven himself to be competent, arguing that he is the best and most-experienced candidate for the position. Maliki's rivals, however, contend that presenting him again as a candidate threatens the democratic process.

One State of Law Coalition member told Al-Monitor, “Nominating Maliki for a third term is undisputed. Maliki is gearing up to remain in office, and many members [of the coalition] are encouraging him to hold on to a third mandate.” Speaking on condition of anonymity, he reiterated, “The coalition did not discuss a replacement for Maliki. This issue was never even brought up.”

In January 2013, the parliament had voted in favor of a draft law to limit the prime minister, president and parliamentary speaker to a maximum of two terms. The Federal Supreme Court, however, overturned the law days after its passage.