Iraq’s main Shiite alliance, which holds a parliamentary majority, has said it will back Nouri al-Maliki as the country’s next prime minister, despite US threats to withdraw all support.
The United States has exercised significant influence over Iraqi politics since leading the 2003 invasion that removed long-time ruler Saddam Hussein, but it is an adversary of Baghdad’s other key ally, Iran.
Maliki, a seasoned politician and powerbroker, is Iraq’s only two-term prime minister, having led the government from 2006 to 2014.
He initially enjoyed the support of the US occupation, but relations later soured as his ties with Iran grew stronger.
Last week, Maliki was endorsed as Iraq’s next prime minister by the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite groups with varying degrees of links to Iran that has emerged in recent years as the main ruling coalition.
A few days later, however, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum, labelling Maliki a “very bad choice” and warning that, if elected, the US “will no longer help Iraq."
On Saturday, the Coordination Framework said it “reiterates its support for its nominee”.
“Choosing the prime minister is an exclusively Iraqi constitutional matter … free from foreign interference,” it added.
The alliance also stressed its commitment to “balanced relations with the international community, especially key global powers, based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs”.
Final
After decades of conflict and instability, Iraq has recently regained a measure of normalcy, yet its politics remains dominated by the struggle to balance relations with Iran and the United States.
The framework’s statement came on the eve of a parliamentary session scheduled to elect the country’s president. However, amid political disputes, it is unclear whether the required quorum will be reached.
Once elected, the president has 15 days to appoint a prime minister, usually nominated by the largest Shiite bloc. By convention, a Shiite occupies the powerful post of prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.
The Kurds have yet to agree on a presidential candidate, and in a country with chronically volatile politics — driven by internal disputes and foreign pressure — key decisions are often delayed beyond constitutional deadlines.
Two sources close to the Coordination Framework told AFP that earlier this week Maliki met US representatives in Baghdad, who told him that Washington’s decision is “final”.
One source said Shiite leaders are divided, with some urging Maliki to step aside for fear of US sanctions if he returns to office.
Iraq, grappling with weak economic growth, cannot risk punitive measures from the United States, which has already sanctioned several Iraqi entities accused of helping Tehran evade restrictions.
