Iraq president taps Ali al-Zaidi to form government

April 28, 2026

Summary

Iraq’s president asked Ali al-Zaidi to form a government after the Shiite Coordination Framework chose him as a compromise candidate.

Why this matters

The move advances Iraq’s government formation process and highlights how domestic power-sharing can intersect with pressure from Iran and the United States. It also puts a little-known figure at the center of Iraqi politics.

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi asked Ali al-Zaidi, the nominee of Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework, yesterday to form a new government.

“President Nizar Amede 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 Shiite factions with varying links to Iran, endorsed Zaidi as its candidate.

The alliance had initially backed former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the post. In January, President Donald Trump threatened to end U.S. support for Iraq if 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 Mohammed Shia al-Sudani “for withdrawing” their candidacies.

Iraq has long balanced ties with both Iran and the United States. In Iraq, nomination by the largest Shiite bloc is typically followed by a presidential appointment, but Trump’s warning prompted Iraqi leaders to hold talks and choose another candidate.

Zaidi was widely seen as a compromise choice. He is a businessman, banker, and owner of a television channel, and has not previously held a government post.

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Full story +

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi asked Ali al-Zaidi, the nominee of Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework, yesterday to form a new government.

“President Nizar Amede 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 Shiite factions with varying links to Iran, endorsed Zaidi as its candidate.

The alliance had initially backed former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the post. In January, President Donald Trump threatened to end U.S. support for Iraq if Maliki, who has close ties to Iran, returned to power.

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Iraq has long balanced ties with both Iran and the United States. In Iraq, nomination by the largest Shiite bloc is typically followed by a presidential appointment, but Trump’s warning prompted Iraqi leaders to hold talks and choose another candidate.

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