Split over Maliki, Iraq’s Shiite bloc delays PM vote as deadline nears: What to know
Two other candidates have emerged as alternatives to Coordination Framework nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is openly opposed by the Trump administration.
Iraq’s Coordination Framework delayed on Wednesday a planned vote on its nominee for prime minister, deepening the political gridlock in the country ahead of a Sunday deadline.
The internal dispute over whether to stick with current nominee and former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the face of fierce opposition to his candidacy from the United States and domestically comes as Iraq grapples with pressure from both the Trump administration and the Islamic Republic over the government formation process.
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki delivers a speech during a campaign rally for the State of Law Coalition on Nov. 7, 2025. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images)
Deadline looms
