Iraq, Voice of the Emirates – In a move described by international relations professor Firas Elias as “a long road in a marathon of burning names,” the Shura Council of the Islamic Dawa Party announced on November 22, 2025, the nomination of the party’s Secretary-General, Nouri al-Maliki. He was unanimously nominated as the sole candidate for Prime Minister in the next Iraqi government.
This announcement came after the parliamentary elections held on November 11, in which Maliki’s “State of Law” coalition won enough seats to become a key player in forming the government.
Elias told “Sawt Al Emarat” that “the most important thing for the coordinating framework in choosing the next prime minister is that he not be a controversial figure internally and that he be acceptable to the outside world. Al-Maliki is not one of these. His rise will create a state of internal conflict with the Sadrist movement, which will not accept his return to power under any circumstances.”
Elias added that “the Gulf states and even the United States are not prepared to deal with a figure who has a negative past with them. This indicates that the goal of nominating Maliki may be to secure an important position in the equation of the new government. There may not be a serious desire for him to return to the premiership.”
Iraq is currently experiencing a fragile balance of power among Shia factions. The pro-Iranian “Coordination Framework,” which tasked Maliki with leading negotiations to select the president, parliament, and prime minister, holds significant sway. Conversely, blocs such as the Sadrists and Sunnis oppose Maliki’s return due to his record of sectarianism and corruption. Meanwhile, rulings by the Federal Court are perpetuating the interim government and delaying the formation of a new one, thus prolonging the political crisis.
