ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on Saturday announced former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the premiership, according to a bloc statement.
Following a meeting, the bloc - which is the largest in the parliament - said it had “decided by majority” to nominate Maliki as their candidate for prime minister, based on his political and administrative experience and his role in managing the state.”
Maliki previously served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, stepping down during his second term amid major security setbacks linked to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) and persistent corruption allegations.
Maliki leads the State of Law coalition, which won 29 seats in Iraq’s November parliamentary elections. Earlier this month, Iraq’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC) announced that its leader and current Iraqi premier, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, had withdrawn his candidacy for prime minister. Sudani’s bloc emerged as the largest winner in the elections with 46 seats.
“The Coordination Framework affirms its full commitment to the constitutional path and its keenness to work with all national forces to form a strong and effective government capable of facing challenges, providing services, and protecting Iraq's security and unity,” the bloc’s statement added on Saturday.