Iraq Politicians Chose New Candidate for PM After Trump Pressure
Ali al-Zaidi in Baghdad, in a handout photo released by the Iraqi Presidency Office, on April 27.
Source: Iraqi Presidency Office/AP Photo
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki ended his bid to reclaim the role after pressure from the US, which was concerned by his close links to Iran.
Iraq’s Coordination Framework, a powerful group of Shiite parties, instead nominated Ali al-Zaidi to be the OPEC member’s next prime minister. That decision also followed current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, who has good relations with Washington, opting not to try for another term.