Nasr stands by Abadi amid efforts to sideline the PM
SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – Haider al-Abadi’s Nasr coalition has thrown their support behind their leader for the post of prime minister in the next Iraqi parliament despite multiple voices against him.
“Haider al-Abadi, who is the sole candidate for the Nasr list for the premiership, succeeded in managing the war, peace, and economy, and he is able to deliver services, ensure stability, and preserve the supreme interests of Iraq,” reads a Facebook statement from the coalition on Wednesday.
The coalition said it has a project designed to “rescue” the country from harm by unnamed regional and international players and promised a growth-driven program for the next government.
Nasr called on all political parties to “get involved in a national project” is insulated from partisanship.
The statement in support of the incumbent prime minister comes after several major players dropped their support for Abadi amid condemnation of the government’s handling of deadly protests in Basra.
The Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraq’s Shiites, wants to see a fresh face at the helm, saying he won’t support any candidate from existing power players.
Abadi’s ally Muqtada al-Sadr has said their groups are still united, but there are calls within Sadr’s Sayirun to withdraw support for Abadi.
The Iran-backed Fatih is also opposed to a second term for Abadi. Fatih is in an alliance with Nouri al-Maliki’s party.
Sadr reportedly met with Fatih leader Hadi al-Amiri on Wednesday, according to Baghdad Today.
Sources told the Iraqi news outlet that there is “closeness” between the two sides with respect to naming the three presidencies, but not on forming a joint bloc in the parliament.
“Haider al-Abadi, who is the sole candidate for the Nasr list for the premiership, succeeded in managing the war, peace, and economy, and he is able to deliver services, ensure stability, and preserve the supreme interests of Iraq,” reads a Facebook statement from the coalition on Wednesday.
The coalition said it has a project designed to “rescue” the country from harm by unnamed regional and international players and promised a growth-driven program for the next government.
Nasr called on all political parties to “get involved in a national project” is insulated from partisanship.
The statement in support of the incumbent prime minister comes after several major players dropped their support for Abadi amid condemnation of the government’s handling of deadly protests in Basra.
The Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraq’s Shiites, wants to see a fresh face at the helm, saying he won’t support any candidate from existing power players.
Abadi’s ally Muqtada al-Sadr has said their groups are still united, but there are calls within Sadr’s Sayirun to withdraw support for Abadi.
The Iran-backed Fatih is also opposed to a second term for Abadi. Fatih is in an alliance with Nouri al-Maliki’s party.
Sadr reportedly met with Fatih leader Hadi al-Amiri on Wednesday, according to Baghdad Today.
Sources told the Iraqi news outlet that there is “closeness” between the two sides with respect to naming the three presidencies, but not on forming a joint bloc in the parliament.