Political planning and urgent measures… How does Sudani’s concession pave the way for Maliki?

Political planning and urgent measures… How does Sudani’s concession pave the way for Maliki?

1-12-2026

Information / Report…
The Iraqi public was taken aback by the news that outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had withdrawn his candidacy for the next prime ministership, handing it over to Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition. The news sparked widespread public, political, and media reactions.
This announcement came after weeks of intensive consultations among Iraqi political blocs in an effort to find a consensus formula that would ensure the country’s stability during this critical period. This could potentially reshape the political landscape in Iraq and pave the way for a new era of political agreements after years of conflict and division.
Al-Sudani’s withdrawal was not a sudden decision or merely a personal gesture; rather, it reflects the complex political reality facing Iraq. The country is grappling with significant security, economic, and social challenges, in addition to considerable public pressure on the political class to resolve the successive crises. In this context, the search for a strong figure with extensive political experience has become an absolute necessity to manage the next phase.
In this context, MP Adnan al-Danbous, a leading figure in the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, confirmed that the bloc’s leader, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, withdrew his candidacy for prime minister in favor of Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, for several reasons. Chief among these was facilitating the Coordination Framework’s task of finalizing the selection of the next prime minister, in addition to the deteriorating security situation in the region.
During a televised interview monitored by the Al-Maalomah News Agency, al-Danbous called on “the forces within the Coordination Framework to align with al-Sudani’s position and expedite their support for the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition.”
Al-Danbous pointed out that “the regional and international situation is volatile, and the region is on the verge of major security events, from which Iraq will not be immune, necessitating the swift formation of a government.”
He pointed out that “the Reconstruction and Development Bloc and its leader, al-Sudani, were fully aware of the security risks threatening the region. Therefore, the State of Law Coalition and the Reconstruction and Development Bloc held an important meeting, being the two largest blocs within the coordination framework. This meeting resulted in al-Sudani relinquishing his electoral entitlement to the premiership in favor of al-Maliki.”
Al-Danbous explained that “so far, the remaining forces within the coordination framework have not decided on al-Maliki’s candidacy for the position of Speaker of Parliament,” calling for “a swift announcement of support for his candidacy.”

Political analyst Mu’ayyad al-Ali believes the next phase requires a strong figure at the head of the government, noting al-Maliki’s potential to make bold decisions, manage the country’s affairs, and confront internal and external challenges.
Al-Ali told Al-Ma’louma, “The next phase requires a strong figure at the head of the government who possesses political experience and the ability to make bold decisions to stand up to internal and external challenges.”
He added, “The apprehension regarding the American side and the veto it might place on the prime ministerial candidate represents a weakness and a setback for the political process. This necessitates that the next government start strong and disregard any American veto if it seeks a sovereign government and country, while also focusing on public services, reconstruction, and serving the people.”
He explained that “a strong government in power means strengthening the country’s sovereignty and ensuring that no conditions or dictates are imposed, whether by America or even Turkey. A strong government is essential to address the mistakes of the past, especially since the equation governing the global order confirms that there is no place for the weak.”

He pointed out that “Maliki possesses sufficient political experience to manage the country’s affairs and confront internal and external challenges, in addition to his ability to make bold decisions, exemplified by the execution of the dictator, the de-Baathification process, the establishment of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and the decision to expel American forces in 2011 under the blows of the resistance and through strong political negotiations led by Maliki.”

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