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Iraq’s newly elected president, Nizar Amedi, on Monday nominated businessman Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate after he secured the backing of the country’s main Shia alliance.
In a statement, the presidency had tasked Zaidi, described as the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming a new government.
The announcement came shortly after the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia factions with varying ties to Iran, endorsed Zaidi as its preferred candidate.
The bloc had initially supported influential politician Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership, but political calculations reportedly shifted after pressure from the United States.
In January, US President Donald Trump had warned that Washington could halt support for Iraq if Maliki, a former prime minister with close links to Iran, returned to office.
On Monday, the Coordination Framework praised what it described as the responsible decision of Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to withdraw their candidacies.
Iraq has long balanced relations between neighbouring Iran and the United States, two rival powers with strong interests in the country.
Under Iraq’s political system, nomination by the largest Shia parliamentary bloc usually clears the path for presidential appointment.
Zaidi is regarded as a compromise choice and remains relatively unknown in mainstream political circles.
He is a businessman, banker and owner of a television channel, but has never held public office.
