The Iraqi presidency reported on Monday that Iraqi President Nizar Amidi assigned Ali al-Zaidi to form the new government, after his nomination by the coordinating framework composed of Shiite parties close to Iran and Nouri al-Maliki’s “renunciation” of seeking to return to the premiership, after his nomination was met with American opposition earlier this year.

Published on: 04/28/2026 - 08:05 Last updated: 04/28/2026 - 12:01

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The Iraqi presidency reported Monday in a statement that Iraqi President Nizar Amidi “assigns the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, Mr. Ali al-Zaidi, to form the new government.”

This assignment came after he was nominated by the coordinating framework composed of Shiite parties close to Iran.

The move came shortly after the Coordination Framework, the largest bloc in Parliament, announced that Nouri al-Maliki had “given up” on seeking to return to the premiership, after his nomination earlier this year was met with firm American opposition.

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A statement following a meeting held by the Coordination Framework earlier Monday said, “After considering the names of the candidates, Mr. Ali Al-Zaidi was chosen to be the candidate of the Coordination Framework Bloc, as the largest bloc in the House of Representatives, to occupy the position of Prime Minister and form the next government.”

He praised the "responsible historical positions" of Al-Maliki and Al-Sudani "by giving up the candidacy for the presidency and forming the next government."

Shortly after his appointment, Ali Al-Zaidi affirmed his determination “to work with all political forces to form a government that responds to the demands of citizens to establish security and stability and achieve comprehensive development.”

For his part, Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani congratulated Al-Zaidi, saying, “We extend our congratulations and congratulations to Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi on the occasion of his nomination by the Coordination Framework Forces, which represent the largest parliamentary bloc, and the issuance of a letter assigning him to form the next government.”

He pointed out his keenness "to cooperate with Ali Al-Zaidi during the assignment period in order to complete the requirements for forming the government."

In turn, the head of the State of Law parliamentary bloc, Yasser al-Maliki, said, “We congratulate Ali al-Zaidi for his assignment to form the next government and confirm our support for him in his national mission to form an efficient government team.”

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The "coordination framework" announced in January the nomination of Al-Maliki to succeed Al-Sudani, following the legislative elections. However, Washington threatened to stop supporting Baghdad if Al-Maliki returns, which caused confusion in political circles.

Is Al-Zaidi a compromise candidate?

Al-Maliki headed the government between 2006 and 2014, for two terms that included key milestones in the modern history of Iraq following the American invasion in 2003. His relations with Washington cooled during his second term, while they strengthened with Tehran.

As for Al-Zaidi (40 years old), he is seen as a compromise candidate. The businessman and banker who owned a television station was not widely known in political circles. He has never held a government position.

The framework believed that the concession of Al-Maliki and Al-Sudani is a step that “confirms concern for the highest national interests, facilitates overcoming the political impasse, and provides the opportunity... to choose the candidate who matches the specifications required to fill the position of Prime Minister, and who is compatible with the requirements and challenges of the stage.”

The president-designate will have 30 days to form the government, which is a complex task that is often influenced by the interests of the two powerful powers, the United States and Iran. The Prime Minister represents the executive authority in Iraq, while the position of President of the Republic is largely ceremonial.

Political analyst Hamza Haddad said that Al-Zaidi, "being a banker and owner of a television channel, has the means to help him influence people and politicians."

He believed that his nomination “also allows the coordinating framework to say that it adheres to the constitutional deadline,” whether he succeeds in forming the government or not.

If formed, Al-Zaidi will become the youngest prime minister in the history of Iraq.

Ali Al-Zaidi's nomination came in light of the regional war that broke out due to the attack launched by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28.

Read also: Iraqi oil revenues are a tool in Washington’s hands to pressure Baghdad

Iraq and the repercussions of the war

Iraq was not spared the repercussions of the American-Israeli war on Iran, which lasted for more than 40 days. During it, the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces and Iraqi armed factions loyal to Iran were subjected to raids attributed to the United States and Israel, while American interests were targeted with attacks claimed by Iraqi factions, and Tehran carried out strikes against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in the north of the country.

During the war, Iraqi leaders reduced their talks to resolve the issue of the prime ministership, and did not resume them intensively until a few days after the ceasefire between the United States and Iran entered into force on April 8.

The new Iraqi prime minister is expected to address Washington's demand to disarm Iranian-backed groups that the United States has designated as terrorist organizations.

Also, the new prime minister will have to repair Iraq's relations with the Gulf states that protested the attacks launched by groups supported by Tehran on their soil during the war.

Al-Zaidi will also have to address the economic problems facing Iraq, especially after the sharp decline in income resulting from the turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz, knowing that oil exports constitute about 90% of the country’s budget revenues.

France 24/AFP

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