Pakistan party has prime minister nominee

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 21 (UPI) -- The Pakistan People's Party, the leader in the country's new coalition government, may be headed for a rift over the choice of next prime minister.

The party of slain Benazir Bhutto reportedly has picked its nominee for prime minister a month after it won the largest number of seats in the assembly election, the Voice of America reported. The name may not be disclosed until next week.

However, the report said, the selection has caused a rift that may impact on the party's efforts to return the country to democracy. The PPP is led by Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari and their son.

The delay in announcing the nominee has raised questions about whether the PPP will be able govern to tackle the major political, economic and security issues, the report said.

Party President Makhdoom Amin Fahim wants the job but has reportedly said he will yield if Zardari is picked. Anyone else and Fahim could splinter the PPP, VOA said.

But Fahim's name raises concern among other lawmakers who have doubt if he will be able to confront Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, the report said.

The report said PPP leaders have hinted Zardari may choose an interim candidate until he can win his own Parliament seat and become eligible for prime minister.