Iraq president asks PM-designate Ali al-Zaidi to form government

BAGHDAD,— Iraq’s newly elected president on Monday named businessman Ali al Zaidi as prime minister-designate after political leaders stepped back from supporting a former premier with close ties to Iran following pressure from the United States.

The Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite factions with different levels of alignment with Tehran, had earlier supported influential figure Nouri al Maliki for the post.

That plan changed after an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump pushed Iraqi leaders to consider another candidate.

Leaders spent weeks in negotiations to resolve the issue and avoid possible penalties.

Trump warned in January that Washington would cut all support to Iraq if Maliki, who previously served two terms as prime minister and is seen as close to Iran, returned to office.

A statement from the presidency said President Nizar Amede had assigned Zaidi, described as the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, to form a government.

Zaidi now has 30 days to build a cabinet, a process often delayed in Iraq where constitutional deadlines are rarely met.

The nomination followed an endorsement from the Coordination Framework, which backed Zaidi as its official candidate.

The alliance also commended what it called the responsible decision by Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani to withdraw from the race.

Yasser al Maliki, who leads Maliki’s bloc in parliament, congratulated Zaidi and said the group would support him in forming a government.

Since the 2003 US led invasion that removed Saddam Hussein, Washington has maintained strong influence in Iraq. At the same time, the political system has opened space for Iran to expand its role in Iraqi affairs.

Iraq’s leadership has since tried to balance ties between the United States and Iran, often facing challenges in managing both relationships.

Under Iraq’s political system, the prime minister is typically Shiite, the parliament speaker is Sunni, and the largely ceremonial presidency is held by a Kurd.

Ali al-Zaidi, Iraq’s prime minister-designate, April 27, 2026. Photo: INA

Zaidi is seen as a compromise candidate and is not widely known in political circles. He is a businessman and banker who owns a television channel and has not held public office before.

If he succeeds in forming a government, Zaidi, aged 40, would become the youngest prime minister in Iraq’s history.

Political analyst Hamzeh Hadad said Zaidi appears to have the resources and influence through his financial and media background to gain support among both the public and political figures.

Hadad also said the nomination allows the Coordination Framework to show it is following constitutional timelines, regardless of whether Zaidi succeeds in forming a cabinet.

Iraq has seen a period of relative stability in recent years after decades of conflict, though its political environment remains fragile and influenced by both internal disagreements and regional developments.

Zaidi’s nomination comes during a wider regional conflict triggered by a joint US and Israeli strike on Iran.

The escalation drew Iraq into the crisis, with attacks targeting US related sites and groups backed by Tehran within Iraqi territory.

During the conflict, Iraqi leaders reduced their negotiations over the premiership and resumed intensive discussions only after a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8.

The next prime minister will face pressure from Washington to address its long standing demand that Iraq disarm Iran aligned groups operating in the country. The United States has labeled these groups as terrorist organizations.

These factions have carried out attacks on US targets in Iraq and elsewhere in the region since the conflict began.

The incoming government will also need to improve relations with Gulf states, which have objected to attacks carried out by Iran backed groups on their territories during the war.

Zaidi will also confront economic challenges, particularly after a decline in revenue linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil exports account for about 90 percent of Iraq’s government income.

(With files from AFP)