Pro-Iran Bloc Taps al-Sudani as Next Iraq PM

Sudani was former Human Rights Minister

While the pro-Iran parliament bloc in Iraq was previously believed to be favoring Nouri al-Maliki for the position of prime minister, loud opposition from other groups, particularly Moqtada al-Sadr’s faction, has seen them change course on the premiership.

The bloc is now naming Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani as their nominee for the premiership. With their current plurality, they should be able to push Sudani into the post.

Sudani most recently served as Human Rights Minister from 2010-2014. Before that, he served as a governor in Maysan. He is a Dawa Party member.

Unlike Maliki, Sudani comes without past corruption allegations, and might be more accepted as a compromise candidate.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.