Lawmakers in crisis-hit Iraq meet Thursday for their fourth attempt this year to elect a president, breaking a years-long deadlock marred by deadly violence that has deepened economic woes.

Oil-rich Iraq has yet to form a new government after parliamentary elections more than a year ago, fueled by a wave of mass protests against endemic corruption, rampant unemployment and crumbling infrastructure.

This week the United Nations mission said that “the protracted crisis is fueling further instability” in the war-torn country, and warned of “divisive policies that are creating bitter public disillusionment”.

Parliament is scheduled to meet at 11:00 a.m. (0800 GMT) in Baghdad’s Green Zone, the capital’s fortified government and diplomatic district that has recently been the site of large protest camps set up by rival factions.

In the last three failed attempts to elect a new head of state, in February and March, lawmakers failed even to meet the required two-thirds threshold — 220 out of 329 — for a quorum.

Democratic institutions built since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein remain fragile, and neighboring Iran wields great influence.

Over the past year, Iraq was not only without a new government, but also without a national budget, which blocked billions in oil revenues and hampered much-needed reforms and infrastructure projects.

Rival Shia Muslim political factions in Iraq have been fighting for influence and the right to elect a new prime minister and form a government, with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi calling the shots in a transitional capacity.

On one side is the fiery cleric Moqtada Sadr, who wants the dissolution of parliament and new elections.

On the other side sits the Coordination Framework, an alliance of pro-Iranian Shia factions – including former paramilitaries – who want a new government before new elections are held.

The standoff has led to both sides setting up protest camps and at times deadly street fighting in Baghdad.

Tensions escalated on August 29 when more than 30 Sadr supporters were killed in fighting between Iran-backed factions and the army.

The largely honorable office of Iraqi president has traditionally been reserved for a Kurd.

It generally goes to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), while the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) retains control of the affairs of autonomous Kurdistan in northern Iraq.

But the KDP also has its sights set on the presidency and could present its own candidate.

“It is still not clear whether the Kurdish parties have agreed on a president,” said Hamzeh Hadad, visiting fellow at the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations.

Top contenders among the 30 candidates include incumbent President Barham Saleh of the PUK (61) and current Kurdish Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed (54) of the KDP.

Abdel Latif Rashid, 78, former Minister of Water Resources and ex-PUK leader, running as an independent, has been suggested as a potential consensus candidate.

But the race remains open.

“Any president who is not the strongest candidate from either of the two main Kurdish parties will have trouble making a name for himself in Baghdad,” said International Crisis Group analyst Lahib Higel.

Once elected, the president will appoint a prime minister – elected by the largest coalition in parliament – who will then enter arduous negotiations to choose his cabinet.

“What is expected is that whoever is selected will immediately choose a prime minister to form a government,” Hadad said.

The main candidates for the post of prime minister are the coordination framework candidate, former minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, 52.

Hadad believes Sudani is most likely to become prime minister, but noted that “everything can change in Iraqi politics up to the last minute”.

The pro-Iranian coordination framework brings together the Fatah alliance and lawmakers from the party of Sadr’s longtime enemy, former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

When Sudani was proposed in July, it sparked mass protests, outraged Sadr supporters who breached the Green Zone and stormed parliament.