BAGHDAD: Iraq’s newly elected president nominated businessman Ali al Zaidi as the country’s prime minister-designate on Monday, after he was endorsed by the country’s main Shia alliance.

“President Nizar Amedi has tasked Ali al Zaidi, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government,” the presidency said in a statement.

The announcement came shortly after the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia factions with varying links to Iran, endorsed Zaidi to be its candidate.

The Coordination Framework had initially backed powerbroker Nouri al Maliki to become the country’s next prime minister, but an ultimatum by US President Donald Trump reshuffled the cards.

In January, Trump threatened to stop all support for Iraq if two-time ex-premier Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, returned to power.

On Monday, the Coordination Framework praised “the historic and responsible stance” of Maliki and caretaker Prime Minister Shia al Sudani “for withdrawing” their candidacies.

Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighbouring Iran and the United States.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2026