Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends the meeting of the Coordination Framework political bloc in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, April 27, 2026. AP
Iraq's newly elected president nominated businessman Ali al-Zaidi as the country's prime minister-designate on Monday, April 27, after the country's leaders yielded to US pressure not to support the bid of a former premier close to Iran. The Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia factions with varying links to Iran, had initially backed powerbroker Nouri al-Maliki to become the country's next premier, but an ultimatum by US President Donald Trump left Iraqi leaders looking elsewhere.
For weeks, they were locked in intense discussions to settle the question and avoid punitive measures after Trump threatened in January to cut all support for Iraq if two-time ex-premier Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, returned to power.
"President Nizar Amede has tasked Ali al-Zaidi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government," the presidency said in a statement.
Zaidi will now have 30 days to form a government – a daunting task in a country where constitutional deadlines are rarely respected. The announcement came shortly after the Coordination Framework endorsed Zaidi as its candidate. The alliance also praised "the historic and responsible stance" of Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani "for withdrawing" their candidacies.
