The race is not over yet… Growing political support strengthens Maliki’s chances of becoming prime minister
The race is not over yet… Growing political support strengthens Maliki’s chances of becoming prime minister
1-18-2026
Information/Report…
Although the Coordination Framework has not yet officially announced a decision on its prime ministerial candidate, the overall political data and accumulating indicators point to a clear lead for Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, as the most prominent and acceptable option within the framework at this sensitive stage.
In this context, Hassan Fad’am al-Janabi, a leader in the Hikma Movement, confirms that the Coordination Framework has not yet decided on any name for prime minister, and that the options are still open pending final political consensus.
Al-Janabi told the Information Agency that “despite Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s withdrawal in favor of al-Maliki, there are other candidates still competing within the framework, and no final decision has been issued yet,” noting that “Nouri al-Maliki enjoys the respect and appreciation of all the forces within the framework and is considered one of the most prominent names being considered.”
He added that “the current constitutional timelines relate to the election of the President of the Republic, which is an entitlement linked to the Kurdish forces, while the file of assigning the Prime Minister comes later according to the constitutional sequence,” stressing that “the nomination of the framework candidate will take place within the constitutional deadlines without any delay.”
For his part, Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, explained that the majority of the forces within the Coordination Framework have agreed on Nouri al-Maliki, the coalition’s leader, assuming the premiership in the next phase. He indicated that al-Maliki possesses the necessary qualities for both domestic and international consensus to manage this period.
Al-Jalabi told Al-Maalomah that “approximately 80% of the forces within the Coordination Framework agree that Nouri al-Maliki should head the government, given the current political, security, and economic circumstances in the country.”
He added that “al-Maliki possesses extensive political experience and a clear ability to manage internal balances, in addition to his regional and international relations, which enable him to open channels of understanding with various parties.” He explained that “these factors make him a suitable choice to lead this phase.”
Al-Jalabi pointed out that “no objections have been recorded from key leaders within the Shia political bloc regarding al-Maliki assuming this position,” emphasizing that “talk of sharp divisions within the framework does not reflect the actual political reality.”
In the same context, the head of the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc, MP Bahaa al-Araji, affirmed that his bloc leader, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s, withdrawal from the race against Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, was a serious decision stemming from conviction, and not a tactical move as some are suggesting.
Al-Araji stated in a televised interview monitored by Al-Maalomah that “the decision to withdraw came from complete conviction; it is a serious decision, not a tactical one,” noting that “the coordinating framework rejects any role for the international community in selecting the next prime ministerial candidate.”
He added that “the Reconstruction and Development bloc possesses a clear political project, and Nouri al-Maliki is the closest to this project,” explaining that “the relationship with the State of Law Coalition is not so much about positions as it is based on joint cooperation in distributing ministries and parliamentary committees, to confront an upcoming phase described as sensitive and difficult, requiring concerted efforts to address internal and external challenges.”
While the Coordination Framework has not yet announced its official candidate for the next prime minister, the sequence of statements and growing political support indicate that Nouri al-Maliki is the most likely candidate within the framework, pending the completion of constitutional requirements and the emergence of a suitable political moment for a formal announcement.
almaalomah.me
