Iraq’s ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on Monday officially selected businessman Ali al-Zaidi for prime minister during a Baghdad meeting, after incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki agreed on his nomination.
“We submitted a proposal to the [Coordination] Framework leaders, which was brother Ali al-Zaidi, and the proposal received unanimous approval,” incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said in a statement, adding that Zaidi’s nomination was entrusted to him and Nouri al-Maliki.
Zaidi was announced to break the political deadlock after a “lack of consensus on choosing a candidate from the proposed names,” according to Sudani.
The Coordination Framework also issued a statement about the Baghdad meeting, confirming Zaidi’s selection and saying the meeting reviewed Sudani’s performance as premier.
It hailed the meeting as a “symbolic gesture representing the continued success of the state.”
Holding a master’s degree in Finance and Banking, Zaidi is the director of Al-Janoob Islamic Bank and CEO of Dijlah TV. He is also responsible for distributing ration cards for the Ministry of Trade. In addition, he owns the Taawon Hypermarket shopping centers in Baghdad.
The Al-Janoob Islamic Bank for Investment and Finance has been under US sanctions since 2024 over allegations of money laundering, fraud, and the illegal use of US dollars.
Zaidi is also present in Iraq’s education landscape, serving as chairman of the board of Al-Shaab University, “the first digital university in Iraq,” according to the university’s website.
The businessman was selected at the residence of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) chairman Falih al-Fayyadh during a Monday meeting after Sudani and Maliki agreed on the decision.
The selection came following at least seven meetings held by the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework aimed at naming a candidate for the top post, but which repeatedly failed to do so. A Saturday meeting was postponed to Sunday, which was again delayed without official notice.
The nomination process exceeded the constitutional deadline by a day, marking 16 days since the election of Iraq’s new President Nizar Amedi. The prime minister-designate must now present a cabinet to parliament within 30 days.
