Iraqi PM candidate Nouri al-Maliki condemns US President Trump’s threat to cut all aid if he is elected, calling it a violation of Iraq’s democratic system.
BAGHDAD: Iraq’s main candidate for the premiership, Nouri al-Maliki, has denounced Washington’s “blatant interference”.
The condemnation follows US President Donald Trump’s threat to end all support to Iraq if Maliki takes the post.
“We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” Maliki said on social media platform X.
He added that “we consider it a violation” of Iraq’s “democratic system”, in place since the 2003 US-led invasion.
Trump said that Iraq would make a “very bad choice” if Maliki were selected.
He warned that because of Maliki’s “insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq”.
Maliki was endorsed as Iraq’s next prime minister by the Coordination Framework, the main ruling coalition of Shiite groups.
In his post, Maliki said the US interference “infringes upon the Coordination Framework’s decision to nominate” its candidate.
He added that he “will continue to work until the end, in a way that achieves the higher interests of the Iraqi people”.
Maliki, Iraq’s only two-term prime minister from 2006 to 2014, fell out with the US during his last stint.
This was over deepening ties with Iran and after he was accused of pushing a sectarian agenda.
The 75-year-old shrewd politician remains a central figure and powerbroker in Iraq’s politics.
His approval is considered indispensable to any governing coalition.7
