Iraqi leaders congratulate Maliki after Shiite bloc nominates him for prime minister

BAGHDAD — Iraqi political leaders and parties issued congratulatory statements Saturday after the Shiite Coordination Framework nominated former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the premiership, outlining expectations for the next phase of government formation.

Shortly after the nomination, al-Maliki appeared with supporters and leaders of the Coordination Framework, who offered their congratulations. The framework is a coalition of Shiite parties that holds a parliamentary majority.

Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani sent a congratulatory telegram to al-Maliki, welcoming the bloc’s decision. “We congratulate Mr. al-Maliki on his nomination for the position, wishing him success and prosperity, and we confirm that we will support him in addressing issues and disputes and overcoming obstacles and challenges facing the country,” Barzani said in a statement.

Al-Maliki’s nomination followed caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s withdrawal from the race for a second term.

President Abdul Latif Rashid also congratulated al-Maliki, “wishing him success and prosperity in this mission, in service of Iraq and its dear people… with hopes that the next phase will see strengthened political stability, solidified national partnership, and prioritization of Iraq’s supreme interests to meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people in security, development, and services,” according to a statement from the president’s media office.

Al-Maliki previously served two terms as prime minister starting in 2006, making him the only Iraqi leader to hold the office twice since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Muthanna al-Samara’i, head of the Al-Azm Alliance, said in a statement that “in this critical stage” it is important to continue the constitutional path and unify national positions to ensure stability and the regular functioning of state institutions. “In this context, we congratulate Nouri al-Maliki on his nomination, and express our support for the Coordination Framework’s choices, believing in the importance of consensus and joint work to serve Iraq and its people,” he said.

The Islamic Dawa Party, led by al-Maliki, called on all communities, including Kurds and Sunnis, to agree on a comprehensive national project grounded in the constitution and electoral entitlements. “We express high appreciation for the trust the Coordination Framework has placed in Mr. al-Maliki as a candidate for prime minister and to undertake the task of forming the next federal government at this difficult stage facing Iraq with many internal and external challenges,” the party said. The statement added, “We believe the framework has placed its trust in the right place and entrusted the responsibility to one who deserves to carry it and perform it with sincerity and dedication.”

Al-Maliki emerged as the leading candidate after months of negotiations among Shiite parties within the Coordination Framework following the November 2025 parliamentary elections. In late November, the Islamic Dawa Party formally named al-Maliki as its nominee for prime minister.

In the Nov. 11 elections, al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition finished first with 46 seats, followed by al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition with 29. Despite leading the vote, al-Sudani did not secure sufficient backing within the Coordination Framework, which later declared itself the largest bloc in parliament, giving it the constitutional right to nominate the prime minister.

Earlier this month, reports suggested al-Sudani had agreed to step aside in favor of al-Maliki. According to information obtained by 964media, his decision came amid internal negotiations after his bid failed to gain broad support within the framework.

Under Iraq’s constitution, parliament must elect a president, who then formally tasks the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a government.