Despite Washington's Warnings, Maliki Insists on Running for Prime Minister of Iraq
Nouri al-Maliki remains steadfast in his bid for the Iraqi premiership despite warnings from the US and dissent among some political factions.
Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate from the coordination framework for the position of Prime Minister of Iraq, is reportedly determined to proceed with his candidacy unless the majority of the framework's leaders decide otherwise. A source from the State of Law coalition confirmed that Maliki still enjoys the support of most leaders within the coordination framework, the largest Shia political alliance in Iraq, which plays a crucial role in selecting the Prime Minister and forming the government.
However, dissent is brewing among the Sunni and Kurdish blocs, with some factions expressing opposition to Maliki's candidacy, which has stalled the election process for both the presidency and the premiership. Sami al-Jizani from the Hikma Movement pointed out that this internal opposition is significant enough to block progress, highlighting the contentious nature of Maliki's potential return to power after serving as Prime Minister from 2006 to 2014.
Furthermore, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Hibat al-Halbousi has warned that reinstating Maliki could lead to severe economic problems and hinder external support and internal cooperation. He emphasized that the US and Western powers have issued strong messages urging Iraqi political forces to maintain stability and consider their future relations with the United States, indicating that neglecting these warnings may result in harsh sanctions. The situation reflects the broader struggle within Iraqi politics, where external influences and internal divisions continue to shape the political landscape.