Iraq’s main Shiite political alliance has formally endorsed former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate to head the next government, a decision that puts one of the country’s most influential—and controversial—figures back at the centre of national politics.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties that holds a majority in parliament, said it had selected Maliki by majority vote as the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc. The group cited his long experience in government and state administration as key factors behind the decision.
Maliki, 75, remains a pivotal figure in Iraq’s post-2003 political landscape. He served two consecutive terms as prime minister between 2006 and 2014, making him the longest-serving leader since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. His tenure coincided with a turbulent period marked by sectarian violence, the withdrawal of US forces and the eventual rise of the Islamic State group.
Under Iraq’s power-sharing system, which emerged after the invasion, the prime minister’s post is reserved for a Shiite Muslim, while the speaker of parliament is typically Sunni and the presidency is held by a Kurd. Following November’s general election, the Coordination Framework consolidated enough seats to form the largest bloc, giving it the constitutional right to nominate the next prime minister.
The endorsement follows weeks of intense negotiations within the Shiite alliance and parallel talks with Sunni and Kurdish parties over the distribution of senior state positions. Parliament has already elected a speaker, and attention is now turning to the selection of a new president, who will be tasked with formally appointing a prime minister to succeed the current caretaker leader, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Maliki’s return to prominence is likely to provoke mixed reactions. Supporters within the Coordination Framework argue that his political acumen and deep knowledge of state institutions make him well-suited to steer Iraq through ongoing security and economic challenges. Critics, however, point to allegations from his previous time in office, including corruption, fostering sectarian divisions, and mismanaging security during the period when the Islamic State captured large swathes of Iraqi territory.
Despite those controversies, Maliki has maintained significant influence through his leadership of the State of Law Coalition and his role in shaping alliances within parliament. His nomination suggests a preference among Shiite powerbrokers for a familiar and assertive figure at a time of regional uncertainty and internal political fragmentation.
The process of government formation is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with negotiations likely to intensify as parties seek to balance competing interests. Observers say the outcome will have important implications for Iraq's stability, its relations with neighbouring countries, and its approach to economic reform.
For now, Maliki’s nomination represents a decisive step in Iraq’s post-election transition, signalling both continuity and the potential for renewed political debate over the country’s future direction.
