OFFICIALLY, THE COORDINATION FRAMEWORK NOMINATES NOURI AL-MALIKI FOR PRIME MINISTER
The Coordination Framework officially announced on Saturday evening the nomination of Nouri Kamel al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister, as the candidate of the “largest” parliamentary bloc.
The framework said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “Based on our national responsibility, and keen to complete the constitutional entitlements within a context that preserves the stability of the country and strengthens the path of the state, the Coordination Framework held an expanded meeting of its leaders, in the office of Hadi al-Amiri, during which the political situation and the next stage were discussed.”
He added: “ After an in-depth and extensive discussion, the Coordination Framework decided by majority vote to nominate Nouri Kamel al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister, as the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, based on his political and administrative experience, and his role in running the state.”
In his statement, he affirmed his “full commitment to the constitutional path and his 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,” calling on “the House of Representatives to hold its session dedicated to electing the President of the Republic in accordance with the constitutional timelines.”
The Sunni National Political Council had called on the Shiite Coordination Framework to bear “historical responsibility” and adopt the principle of national acceptance in choosing presidential candidates, warning against recycling failed experiences that were linked to political, security and economic crises, the control of terrorist organizations and the displacement of millions of citizens, in reference to the nomination of Maliki.
Meanwhile, the “Azm” and “Hasm” coalitions announced that what was stated in the letter addressed to the framework does not express the opinion of all members of the council.
Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for a third term as prime minister comes amid political division, given that his previous term ended in 2014 amid major political and security crises that coincided with ISIS’s invasion of large areas of the country.
The nomination raised reservations among Sunni leaders, as the head of the Progress Party, Mohammed al-Halbousi, warned in a post dated January 19, 2026, against a return to “painful lean days,” calling for consideration of “national acceptance,” in a reference widely understood as an objection to the return of al-Maliki.
In contrast, the State of Law Coalition asserted that al-Maliki’s nomination enjoys “consensus” and “national acceptance,” denying the existence of a political veto against his name, amid concerns about the difficulty of passing any candidate who does not enjoy broad political and social acceptance.