News & Events
Iraqi Parties Pressure Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Step Down
By http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-s-kerry-arrives-in-baghdad-for-meeting-with-prime-minister-maliki-1403508006?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303773504579641641881726998.html, June 23, 2014
If Mr. Maliki does step aside, it is unclear whether Iraq’s fractious political system could produce another viable candidate among the multiple Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties to replace him.
“We know that a lot of [lawmakers] are against Maliki,” said Zaid al Ali, an Iraqi-American based in Cairo who advises on constitutional law and author of a recent book on Iraq. “But there aren’t any other candidates who have a sufficient amount of support yet to become prime minister.”
In addition, Iran, which exerts much influence over Iraq, will help decide whether Mr. Maliki will remain in power and is unlikely to consent to anyone who isn’t close to its interests.