TEHRAN – In a major development, Iraq’s Coordination Framework has officially nominated former Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki as its candidate to lead the next government.

The decision was reached during an extended leadership meeting of Iraq’s largest Shia political alliance at the office of Hadi alAmiri and was approved by a majority of its members.

The nomination is the culmination of weeks of careful consultations with all relevant political actors to ensure consensus and avoid division within the Shia political bloc. This included the nowcaretaker prime minister Mohammed alSudani.

The Prime Minister of Iraq wields the most power in the country, surpassing the President, whose role is largely symbolic on the international stage.

Coordination Framework leaders emphasized that Maliki’s nomination represents the choice of the largest parliamentary bloc and reflects broad agreement among its leadership.

While some Sunni leaders highlighted the need for a consensual, nonexclusionary Prime Minister, Coordination Framework representatives confirmed that these concerns were addressed through dialogue and that the decision was made with the full knowledge of allied parties.

During the discussions, political leaders acknowledged that while some statements of objection were issued—primarily as political courtesy—they did not affect the final decision.

The Framework also stressed that ministerial allocations and cabinet formation will now follow the nomination, ensuring all partners have a say in the process and the future political landscape.

The Framework has called on the Iraqi Parliament to convene a session to elect the country’s president, marking the next stage in Iraq’s postelection political process.

Reports indicate that in the new Parliament, some factions initially hesitated to endorse Maliki, citing the need for a consensual figure. However, allied groups, including the Sunni Azem alliance, clarified that these statements represented only the opinions of certain members and not the parliament as a whole.

The Framework emphasized that the decision of the largest parliamentary bloc—responsible for nominating the Prime Minister—must be respected, highlighting the collective nature of political decisionmaking in Iraq.

The elections held on 11 November 2025 saw higher voter turnout than the previous election, along with an increase in votes for Shia parties historically opposed to the United States.

Kurdish parties continue to negotiate internal divisions, particularly between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), over the presidency of Iraq.

While these disputes persist, sources indicate Kurdish leaders welcomed Maliki’s nomination and acknowledged the need to coordinate with Shia allies while resolving internal disagreements over cabinet allocations in the future government.

Key priorities for Maliki’s potential government include economic reform and stability without imposing excessive burdens on citizens, as well as enhancing national security.

Party leaders within the Coordination Framework emphasized that major decisions—both domestic and international—will be made collectively within the Shia coalition to ensure consensus and maintain unity among Iraq’s political forces.

Specific security concerns include neutralizing potential threats from foreign Takfiri terrorists and maintaining control over sensitive security operations.

If Parliament accepts the nomination, this will be Maliki’s third term as Premier, after serving two terms from 2006 to 2014.

Observers believe he fully understands the regional risks and the need for consensus on sensitive national, regional, and international decisions.
As the Coordination Framework’s announcement clears the way for Maliki to form a government, the next steps will focus on ministerial appointments and parliamentary approval.

Political observers note that the nomination reflects both the Framework’s internal consensus and the broader support of allied political forces, positioning Maliki to navigate Iraq through economic, security, and political challenges in the upcoming term.

This nomination represents a critical step in Iraq’s postelection process, demonstrating the Coordination Framework’s influence in shaping the executive leadership while balancing competing internal and international political interests.