A new Prime Minister for Iraq. Iraqi President Nizar Amedi named businessman Ali al-Zaïdi as Prime Minister-designate on Monday April 27, after he was supported by the main Shiite alliance, following the withdrawal of Nouri al-Maliki’s candidacy under American pressure.
The president has “charged Ali al-Zaïdi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government”, which will then have to be approved by Parliament, the presidency said in a press release.
The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite factions with a majority in Parliament, had just announced that it had “chosen Ali al-Zaïdi” as candidate for the post of Prime Minister.
Banker and owner of a television channel
The Coordination Framework welcomed the “historic and responsible” position of Nouri al-Maliki, whom it had initially supported, and of Mohamed Chia al-Soudani, the interim Prime Minister, for withdrawing their candidacies.
In January, US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw all support for Baghdad if Nouri al-Maliki, a former incumbent and seen as close to neighboring Iran, returned to power.
Also readIraq: why Trump does not want to see al-Maliki become Prime Minister again
Considered a figure of compromise, Ali al-Zaïdi is little known in political circles. A businessman, banker and owner of a television channel, he has never held government office.
Iraq has long been a site of proxy confrontation between the United States and Iran, with successive governments negotiating a delicate balance between its two partners, themselves enemies.
According to the rules in force, Ali al-Zaïdi has 30 days to form a government, before a vote in Parliament to take office.
With AFP
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
