Iraq's political power struggle ends as Maliki stands down
Nouri al-Maliki says he will back 'brother' Haider al-Abadi as prime minister for sake of Iraq's unity
Nouri al-Maliki has finally stepped down as Iraqi prime minister, ending the country's political deadlock and offering a glimmer of hope for stability in the region.
The 64-year-old had refused to resign after eight years in power, arguing that he was the leader of an alliance that won the most parliamentary seats in the nationwide April elections.
But as Islamic State militants advance across Iraq, he has faced mounting pressure to relinquish power to his Shi'ite rival Haider al-Abadi.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Yesterday, he stood alongside Abadi and announced that he would back the efforts of his "brother" in forming a new government for the sake of Iraq's unity.
"I announce before you today, to ease the movement of the political process and the formation of the new government, the withdrawal of my candidacy in favour of brother Doctor Haider al-Abadi," he said. Maliki has also withdrawn a legal case that he had lodged against President Fouad Massoum for nominating Abadi as the new Iraqi leader.
The speech was "heralded as historic in a region where the smooth handover of power in a democratic framework is rare", says the Washington Post. It also opens the door for further military support from the US, which had urged the country to replace Maliki with a more unifying figure.
Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani and Iran, which wields significant influence in Iraqi politics, had apparently played a role in ushering Maliki out. The final decision was made after a meeting with senior members of his party. One senior Shi'ite politician said Maliki had been "at a dead-end road" but said that "hopefully" his resignation will "help to bring stability".
Nevertheless, concerns have been raised that Abadi, a long-term member of Maliki's Dawa party, is too closely associated with the outgoing premier.
Hayder al-Khoei, an Iraq analyst at London's Chatham House think tank, told the Washington Post that Abadi will face the "same problems" as Maliki, including the Islamic State crisis. "The outlook is bleak," he said, "but there's hope at least."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Bird flu worries mount as virus found in milk, cows
Speed Read The FDA found traces of the virus in pasteurized grocery store milk
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Palazzo Durazzo Suites in Genoa: a palatial gem in northern Italy
The Week Recommends Live your Italian dream in this astonishing and recently restored palace in the heart of the city
By Nick Hendry Published
-
How would we know if World War Three had started?
Today's Big Question With conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, the 'spark' that could ignite all-out war 'already exists'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published