BAGHDAD — Iraq's Coordination Framework on April 27, 2026, named Ali al-Zaidi as its candidate to occupy the position of prime minister and form the next government. President Nizar Amedi subsequently appointed the 40-year-old as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a government.

The Coordination Framework, Iraq's largest Shia parliamentary bloc, approved al-Zaidi unanimously as its compromise candidate after 25 minutes of discussion in a final meeting. The bloc had missed its constitutional deadline to name a prime ministerial candidate by April 26, 2026. A Coordination Framework statement read: "After considering the names of the candidates, Ali al-Zaidi was chosen to be the candidate of the Coordination Framework bloc, as the largest bloc in the House of Representatives, to occupy the position of prime minister and form the next government."

Al-Zaidi now has 30 days to present his cabinet to parliament and secure a vote of confidence from at least 167 lawmakers. The Shia bloc commands 185 of 329 seats in the parliament.

Al-Zaidi has no history in political office or government administration. He was born in Baghdad to a prominent family originating in the southern province of Dhi Qar, and holds bachelor's degrees in law and finance and a master's degree in banking and finance. He is a member of the Iraqi Bar Association.

Al-Zaidi is chairman of the National Holding Company, a conglomerate established in 2017 with interests in agriculture, real estate, banking, logistics, and renewable energy. He serves as chairman of the board for Shaab University and the Ishtar Medical Institute, and previously chaired the board of Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, which faced sanctions from the Central Bank of Iraq.

The nomination followed a months-long search for a candidate acceptable to both local factions and foreign powers. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who was brought to power by the Coordination Framework in 2022, failed to secure backing for a second term. The Coordination Framework also attempted to nominate Bassem al-Badry, but rival camps rejected him. U.S. President Donald Trump opposed Nouri al-Maliki's candidacy after al-Maliki entered the race in January 2026 and secured the backing of a majority of the Coordination Framework, and Trump threatened to cut off support to Iraq. The United States suspended cooperation and funding for Iraqi security agencies and issued a warning against any government influenced by Iran-linked figures and armed factions.