Tom Brack Calls on Nouri al-Maliki to Withdraw His Candidacy for Prime Minister

In a notable political development reflecting the complexities surrounding the formation of the upcoming Iraqi government, special sources revealed a meeting between U.S. envoy Tom Brack and former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, amid clear U.S. objections to his candidacy for the premiership.

* Direct Message: Withdraw Candidacy

According to sources, Brack informed al-Maliki of the necessity to withdraw his candidacy for the government, signaling Washington's rejection of his return to the position.

However, al-Maliki's response was decisive, as he affirmed that he would "never" withdraw, respecting—according to his expression—the sovereignty of the state and its will, emphasizing that "no one has the right to say vote for so-and-so and not for so-and-so."

In parallel, the U.S. envoy clarified to current Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' al-Sudani that the United States does not hold a personal stance against al-Maliki, in an attempt to separate political objections from personal disagreements.

* Judicial and Constitutional Movement

The U.S. meeting was not limited to executive leaders, as Brack also discussed with the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faik Zidan, the role of the judiciary in completing constitutional entitlements during the upcoming phase, primarily the election of the President and the formation of the government.

Zidan emphasized during the meeting the importance of adhering to constitutional timelines, stressing that the Iraqi judiciary has repeatedly highlighted the necessity of respecting constitutional mechanisms in the process of forming the executive authority.

* "Coordination Framework" Sticks to Its Candidate

Al-Maliki, who enjoys the support of the "Coordination Framework"—the largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament that includes prominent Shiite parties, most of which are close to Iran—confirmed that his candidacy came as an agreement within the framework, saying:

"Out of respect for this agreement, there will be no withdrawal until the end."

He also stressed his commitment to limiting weapons to the hands of the state, a demand that Washington also raises, acknowledging that he has received "multiple messages" recently regarding state-related demands, indicating increasing U.S. pressure.

* Warning from Washington

These developments come at a time when Iraqi authorities assert that forming the government is an internal sovereign matter, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's warning of halting American aid to Baghdad if al-Maliki's appointment is insisted upon.

Al-Maliki (75 years old) served as Prime Minister between 2006 and 2014, during two terms marked by pivotal events, including the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, the rise of sectarian violence, and the control of ISIS over vast areas of the country.

His second term saw a noticeable cooling of relations with Washington, coinciding with the strengthening of his ties with Tehran, prompting Trump to previously describe him as a "bad choice."

Amid external pressures and internal insistence, Iraq once again stands before a sensitive political test, where regional and international calculations intersect with constitutional entitlements, while the identity of the next Prime Minister remains open to multiple possibilities.