Iraq Shia alliance nominates former PM Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate

"Iraqi former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is on the verge of a return to power after being nominated as the country's next premier by an alliance of Shia political blocs that hold a majority in parliament. The Shia Coordination Framework said on Saturday that it had picked al-Maliki, leader of the Islamic Dawa Party, as its nominee for the post based on his political and administrative experience and his role in managing the state."

"Al-Maliki was Iraq's only two-term premier since the US-led invasion, and had, over the years, managed to appease both Tehran and Washington, becoming a powerbroker whose approval is considered indispensable to any governing coalition. He remains a potent force in Iraqi politics despite longstanding accusations that he fuelled sectarian strife and failed to stop ISIL from seizing large areas of the country a decade ago."

Nouri al-Maliki was nominated as Iraq's next premier by a coalition of Shia political blocs holding a parliamentary majority. The Shia Coordination Framework cited his political and administrative experience and his role in managing the state. The 75-year-old first became prime minister in 2006 and stepped down after ISIL seized large parts of Iraq in 2014, but continued to lead the State of Law coalition and maintain close ties with Iran-backed factions. The nomination triggers negotiations to form a government that must manage powerful armed groups such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq while facing U.S. pressure to dismantle them. Al-Maliki remains influential despite accusations of fueling sectarian strife and failing to prevent ISIL’s earlier expansion.

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