Al-Sudani seeks a second term through NATO amid domestic criticism
Al-Sudani seeks a second term through NATO amid domestic criticism
9-9-2025
Information/Report..
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faces an early political test as he seeks to secure a second term, amid US pressure to obstruct the passage of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law and impose other demands described as infringing on national sovereignty.
Political sources indicate that al-Sudani has already begun making concessions in this direction, hoping to gain Washington’s support to ensure his continued rule. However, these ambitions are clashing with domestic positions that reject any submission to external dictates.
In this context, al-Sudani’s visit to NATO headquarters in the Belgian capital, Brussels, was viewed by observers as part of his efforts to garner support from NATO countries for his candidacy for a second term, even if it comes at the expense of national principles.
According to political analyst Sabah Al-Akeili, Al-Sudani’s participation in the NATO conference reflects “a clear attempt to appease the West through political and security concessions that do not take into account the national interest.”
Al-Akeili added in a statement to Al-Maalouma, “The prime minister is focused at this stage on gaining Western support, even if it comes at the expense of Iraqi sovereignty and the interests of the people, which represents a serious threat to the country’s future.”
He stressed that Iraqis need “firm national positions instead of political compromises and external favors.”
For his part, Ibrahim Al-Sakini, a member of the State of Law Coalition, ruled out the possibility of granting Al-Sudani a second term, even if he made concessions to the United States.
In a statement to Al-Maalouma, he said, “The Iraqi people will have their say at the ballot box and will not allow any candidate to be imposed from abroad.” He noted that “Al-Sudani’s performance has not been up to the required standard, particularly on corruption cases and his close ties to extremist figures, in addition to the controversy surrounding issues such as wiretapping.”
These positions reveal rifts within the Coordination Framework regarding al-Sudani’s future, amid sharp political divisions and accelerated preparations for the upcoming elections. Observers believe that the consensus within the framework’s forces will be the decisive factor in selecting the next prime minister, not just US pressure or popular sentiment. This leaves al-Sudani’s political future open to multiple possibilities from now on.
While some parties are betting on Al-Sudani’s renomination as a compromise option, other voices assert that what comes after the November elections may bring different scenarios, and the issue of a second term may have been closed before it was actually opened.
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