05.02.2026 10:39
Former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who has been nominated by Shia parties for the premiership in Iraq, stated that despite the reaction from U.S. President Donald Trump and the discussions within the country, he will continue his candidacy "to the end."
Maliki evaluated the ongoing discussions regarding his candidacy during a television broadcast he participated in Iraq.
Maliki, who stated that he would "continue to the end" as the candidate of the Coordination Framework, composed of the winning Shia party leaders, said that the decision to nominate an alternative candidate against him was again related to the aforementioned Shia umbrella organization.
Maliki defended his insistence on his candidacy with the words, "In this environment of attack, taking a step back is dangerous for Iraq's sovereignty."
"TRUMP DOES NOT KNOW ME"
Addressing the reaction of U.S. President Donald Trump to his candidacy, Maliki argued that this was due to Trump being misled by certain countries and unnamed internal actors despite not knowing him. Maliki said, "Trump does not know me, he has no relationship with me. I think mentioning my name is a disinformation operation."
MESSAGE OF WORKING TOGETHER WITH SYRIA
Maliki, who had previously made harsh criticisms of the new administration that would come after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria on December 8, 2024, sent a message of working together with Syria if he is elected prime minister.
Stating that he is open to developing relations with Syria, Maliki expressed, "If our brother Ahmed al-Shara keeps Syria away from camps and training activities, and does not direct terrorists to us; we also want good relations with the Syrian people."
TRUMP HAD REACTED TO MALIKI'S CANDIDACY
U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the possibility of Maliki being re-elected as prime minister in Iraq, stating that "if Maliki sits in the prime minister's chair, the U.S. will no longer help Iraq."
Maliki, in a post on the social media platform of the U.S.-based X company, referred to Trump's statements, saying, "We reject U.S. intervention in Iraq's internal affairs."
The Coordination Framework, composed of the winning Shia party leaders in Iraq, had announced that Maliki was the candidate for prime minister as the largest group in the Assembly.