Iraqi President Nizar Amidi yesterday tasked the Coordination Framework candidate, Ali al-Zaidi, with forming the new government.
The Iraqi News Agency quoted Amedi as saying in a post on the X platform: "We have tasked the candidate of the parliamentary bloc, Ali al-Zaidi, with forming the new government, and thus we have completed the third stage of the constitutional entitlement, which could not have been delayed."
The Iraqi president called on the country's political forces to support and cooperate with al-Zaidi to accelerate the formation of a strong national government that represents all Iraqis and meets their aspirations.
During his inauguration ceremony, al-Zaidi affirmed his intention to work with all political forces to form a government that responds to the demands of Iraqis in consolidating security and stability and achieving comprehensive development.
Al-Zaidi's appointment as head of the Iraqi Council of Ministers comes as a successor to Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has held his position since October 2022.
Economic Expertise
Ali al-Zaidi enters Iraqi history as the youngest prime minister to hold the position, a man from an academic background in law and finance, with a resume that focused on the banking and executive sectors, "the presidency of the South Bank and the People's University."
He is seen in Iraqi circles as a "technocrat" far from acute partisan polarization, making him an ideal choice at a stage that requires structural economic solutions away from traditional political conflicts.
Behind the scenes of the selection
Reaching the selection of al-Zaidi was not easy, but came after three stages of difficult labor within the "Coordination Framework", where the first stage included the attempt to nominate Nouri al-Maliki, which collided with an explicit American "veto" expressed by President Donald Trump.
As for the second stage, the name of Bassem al-Badri, who received partial support but faced internal objections, was the third stage, which was decisive, led by Faleh al-Fayyad, where it was agreed on al-Zaidi as a settlement candidate from a list of three names, to be the name that "does not break anyone" and ensures the unity of the framework.
Al-Zaidi faces internal and external challenges, most notably the fragmentation of the internal situation and divisions between the parties, and externally, the restoration of relations with the Gulf states that have been damaged by armed attacks emanating from Iraq, and managing the delicate balance between partnership with the United States and Iranian influence.
Washington Awaits
Despite his professional background, Zaidi's assignment has not yet received direct U.S. support, as Washington adopts a policy of waiting, especially since Zaidi's past ties to the banking sector, which has been subject to some U.S. sanctions, may raise concerns for the Treasury Department.
Zaidi will have to prove his independence from Iranian influences to gain the international trust needed for the flow of investments.