ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The spokesperson for the State of Law Coalition said the bloc has sent letters to US President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider his opposition to Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination for a third term as Iraq’s prime minister.
In late January, Trump described the potential “reinstallation” of Maliki as prime minister as a “very bad choice,” warning that the United States would cease assistance to Iraq if he were elected.
Trump’s remarks came days after Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework announced Maliki, a former prime minister, as its candidate for the premiership.
Aqeel al-Fatlawi, spokesperson for the State of Law Coalition, told Rudaw on Wednesday that several messages had been sent to Trump following his public objection to Maliki’s nomination.
“The reasoning behind the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki has been clarified [to Trump in the letters], including his achievements during his premiership, particularly in the field of counterterrorism,” Fatlawi said.
Maliki previously served as Iraq’s prime minister from 2006 to 2014. He stepped down during his second term amid significant security setbacks linked to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS), as well as ongoing corruption allegations.
Iraq held early legislative elections in mid-November. Shortly afterward, the Coordination Framework announced it had formed the largest parliamentary bloc - a crucial step in nominating the country’s next prime minister - after its constituent parties secured a combined 179 of the 329 seats in parliament.
Since then, political factions have been maneuvering to elect a new president, who will subsequently appoint a prime minister-designate from the largest bloc. This process follows Iraq’s post-2003 informal power-sharing system, under which the speakership of parliament is allocated to Sunni Arabs, the premiership to Shiite parties, and the presidency to Kurds.
Fatlawi said the coalition had not yet received a response from Trump.
“The American viewpoint is important to us,” he said. “However, we will not compromise on the nomination of Mr. Maliki.”
Zeyad Nasri, another leader of the State of Law Coalition, said their correspondence with Trump emphasized that Iraq is sovereign in its decision-making.
“There will be no reversal of the decision to nominate Maliki for a third term,” he said.
If confirmed by parliament, Maliki would begin his third term in office.
Maliki leads the State of Law Coalition, which won 29 seats in Iraq’s November parliamentary elections.
His nomination has been widely welcomed by several Iraqi and Kurdish leaders.
In a January 27 post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I’m hearing that the Great Country of Iraq might make a very bad choice by reinstalling Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister. Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again. Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq and, if we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!”
Earlier this month, Iraq’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC) announced that its leader and current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, had withdrawn his candidacy. Sudani’s bloc had emerged as the largest individual winner in the elections, securing 46 seats.
Firas al-Maslamawi, spokesperson for the RDC, said the coalition supports Maliki’s candidacy despite Trump’s warning.
“As of this moment, the Coordination Framework remains firm in its nomination of Maliki. There has been no withdrawal from this position, nor any indication of compromise,” he said.
As a key component of the Coordination Framework, Maslamawi said the RDC aims to preserve the unity and cohesion of the leading bloc.
“We will abide by any decision issued by the Coordination Framework,” he added.
Bilal Nasri, a leader of the Daawa Party, which is headed by Maliki, said the party has held “numerous meetings with American officials” regarding Maliki’s nomination.
“We are observing some flexibility and a shift in the US position,” he said.
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