Hikma lawmaker calls for consulting Sadr on premiership, says Sudani ‘closest’ to post

BAGHDAD — A lawmaker from the Hikma Movement called on the Shiite Coordination Framework to consult Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr over the prime ministerial nomination, saying Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is currently the closest figure to the post.

Ahmed Salem al-Saadi said in a televised interview on Al-Nahrain TV that relying on a majority vote within the framework to pass the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki would depart from established norms.

“If the framework wants its prime minister to be successful and to lead us through this phase, it must consult all active national forces, foremost among them Mr. Muqtada,” he said.

Saadi said “the person whose standing has risen the most over the past 72 hours, and around whom there has been movement, is Mr. Sudani, and he is the closest to the premiership.”

He added that “it is necessary to take into account international and regional acceptance, because we are not an island in the ocean, and Mr. Muqtada’s position on Mr. Maliki is clear.”

Saadi revealed that Hikma was not consulted before Sudani withdrew his candidacy in January. “We reproached Mr. Sudani, who surprised us on the day he withdrew in favor of Mr. Maliki, and we told him: we are your partners and you should have consulted us,” he said. “He said that this step was to break the political deadlock.”

Saadi also criticized the current oil minister, saying “he is the most unsuccessful minister in the history of the Iraqi state since its founding until today. He has squandered wealth and is technically weak.”

In January, Sudani formally withdrew his bid for the premiership and endorsed Maliki after the Coordination Framework moved toward nominating Maliki by majority vote. The step was presented as an effort to preserve unity within the alliance after Sudani was unable to secure unified backing despite leading the largest bloc within the framework.

The Coordination Framework nominated Maliki following the 2025 elections. President Donald Trump has warned that Washington may halt support for Iraq if Maliki returns to power. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said a verbal message from U.S. officials included “a clear and explicit hint of the possibility of imposing sanctions” if the framework insists on Maliki.

Sadr announced his withdrawal from political life on Aug. 29, 2022, after Sadrist lawmakers resigned from parliament and clashes erupted in Baghdad’s Green Zone. His movement did not participate in the 2025 elections. Although he has issued occasional statements since then, he has not formally returned to active political participation.

Some excerpts of Al-Saadi’s interview on Al-Nahrain TV:

The majority within the framework is an innovation and not an original condition in the principles and political norms inside the framework. There has not been a case of passing strategic decisions by majority in previous situations similar to the one we are dealing with now (Maliki’s nomination).

It is necessary to take into account international and regional acceptance, because we are not an island in the ocean, and Mr. Muqtada’s position on Mr. Maliki is clear.

If the framework wants its prime minister to be successful and to lead us through this phase, it must consult all active national forces, foremost among them Mr. Muqtada (Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr).

The person whose standing has risen the most over the past 72 hours, and around whom there has been movement, is Mr. Sudani, and he is the closest to the premiership.

We reproached Mr. Sudani, who surprised us on the day he withdrew in favor of Mr. Maliki, and we told him: we are your partners and you should have consulted us. He said that this step was to break the political deadlock.

The oil ministry file, in all its details, is one of the most complex files in the political landscape, especially since we have made matters worse with the current minister. I take responsibility for my words, and with respect to his person — he comes from a respected family — but he is the most unsuccessful minister in the history of the Iraqi state since its founding until today. He has squandered wealth and is technically weak.