Al-Nasr Coalition warns against ‘gambling with the state’ amid Maliki controversy

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Al-Nasr Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, issued a statement Sunday signaling a break from the Coordination Framework’s consensus on nominating Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister, calling for adherence to constitutional processes and warning against “gambling with the state.”

In a statement, the Coalition said it supports moving forward with constitutional entitlements to form state authorities but stressed that “the priority must be given to the vital interests of the people and the state” when dealing with any candidate or future governing formula.

The statement said this approach should be taken “away from narrow partisan affiliation or personal interests,” particularly given what it described as “the exceptional circumstances experienced by Iraq and the region.”

The Al-Nasr Coalition said that unity within the Coordination Framework and a unified national stance toward any candidate “ensure a unified national position in protecting and strengthening the political system, domestically and at the regional and international levels.”

It added that “the interests of the people rise above the interests of individuals,” stressing that “the state is a trust that must not be gambled with under any circumstances.”

The statement follows Coordination Framework announcement on Saturday that it remains committed to nominating Nouri al-Maliki for the post of prime minister, stressing that selecting the head of government is an internal constitutional matter carried out without external influence.

Sources reported the absence of Ammar al-Hakim from the meeting. Al-Hakim had previously announced his opposition to al-Maliki’s nomination.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that the United States would “no longer help” Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power, in a post on Truth Social.