Dawa Party denies Maliki has withdrawn from prime minister race

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Dawa Party on Saturday denied reports that Nouri al-Maliki has withdrawn from the race for prime minister, saying the Shiite Coordination Framework remains committed to him as its nominee.

The party said al-Maliki “remains committed to running for the post of prime minister” and rejected what it described as rumors about his withdrawal. Coordination Framework forces “are still committed to their candidate for the position,” it said, calling reports of a withdrawal “baseless and far from reality.”

Asharq Al-Awsat reported Thursday, citing a political source, that al-Maliki may consider withdrawing if a replacement comes from within his State of Law coalition — a move that could see Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reconsider his position and put himself forward if no consensus is reached.

The Coordination Framework nominated al-Maliki “by majority vote” on Jan. 25, citing his political and administrative experience. In a Feb. 1 statement, the bloc called “the choice of the prime minister a purely Iraqi constitutional matter” and reaffirmed support for his candidacy.

The nomination has drawn sharp reactions. On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States would “no longer help” Iraq if al-Maliki returned to office, saying Iraq would have “ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom.”

Al-Maliki rejected what he described as U.S. interference. “Choosing our government and leadership is a national matter that must be respected, just as we respect the choices of others,” he said.

Several Iraqi Shiite parties, including Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Huqooq Movement, issued statements rejecting U.S. interference and backing al-Maliki’s nomination.

Al-Maliki served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, stepping down under domestic and international pressure after the collapse of army defenses and the fall of Mosul to the Islamic State group.