Baghdad ? The flurry to close the first chapter of Iraq’s seven-month political drama is suddenly intense with angry Sunnis pledging to dig in for a fight while Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki tries to win over the last few allies he needs to stay in power.

But after the struggle for prime minister is finally settled, then comes the next big fight that could also drag on for months — the competition for key government posts.

A taste of both the old and upcoming showdowns was offered Monday inside the parliament building that’s been idled by the political crisis since March elections.

Sunni leaders lashed out at al-Maliki, who appears on the verge of dodging election defeat and hanging onto power.