Iraq's latest prime minister-designate faces opposition from Iran-backed militias
Iraqi President Barham Salih designates a former Najaf governor, Adnan Zurfi, as prime minister amid strong objection from Iran-backed militias.
Iraqi President Barham Salih designated a former governor of Najaf, Adnan al-Zurfi, for the prime minister's post March 17. He has 30 days to form his Cabinet and get approval from the parliament.
Salih designated Zurfi after the two largest parliamentary blocs failed to nominate a new candidate for the position this month. After the March 16 deadline for nominating a candidate passed, Salih could name any candidate without having to discuss it with the largest blocs (and this was confirmed by the Iraqi federal court March 16). Salih then nominated Zurfi, who was supported by several Shiite blocs in addition to Sunni and Kurdish ones.
The Nasr coalition of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Ammar al-Hakim’s Hikma movement, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition and the Sunni Forces Alliance are among the groups that supported Zurfi and their representatives participated in the designation ceremony.
Zurfi, 54, is a member of the Nasr coalition. He also has been a member of the Dawa Party and State of Law.
