The Coordination Framework announced Monday evening its selection of Ali al-Zaidi as the next prime minister.
A statement from the Framework read, "The Coordination Framework held its important meeting today, Monday, at the Government Palace in Baghdad, a symbolic representation of the continuity of state institutions and the seat of the executive authority emanating from the will of the Iraqi people."
At the outset of the meeting, the Framework's leaders, according to the statement, commended "the national and responsible performance of the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during its three and a half years in confronting economic, regional, and international challenges, and the achievements of the government program, particularly in the area of development and restoring the Iraqi citizen's confidence in their political and electoral system, which was clearly demonstrated by the broad participation in the recent parliamentary elections."
The Coordination Framework also commended "the responsible and historic stances of Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, in withdrawing their candidacies for the premiership and the formation of the next government. This step underscores their commitment to the supreme national interests, facilitates overcoming the political deadlock, and allows the Coordination Framework to select a candidate who meets the required qualifications for the position of Prime Minister and is suited to the demands and challenges of this stage."
The statement continued, "After reviewing the candidates' names, Mr. Ali al-Zidi was chosen as the Coordination Framework's candidate, being the largest bloc in the Council of Representatives, to assume the position of Prime Minister and form the next government."
Maliki and Sudani agree to pass Ali al-Zaidi as a compromise candidate
Political sources revealed on Monday that Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, agreed to nominate Ali al-Zidi as a compromise candidate for the premiership.
The sources said that "Al-Zaydi enjoys extensive relations with all the leaders of the coordination framework, in addition to his relationship with the private office of the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr."
She added that "Al-Zaydi may face difficulties in forming the government and getting it passed in parliament after he is appointed."
She indicated that “Al-Zidi’s nomination came after the head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh Al-Fayyad, hosted two meetings during the past 24 hours with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri Al-Maliki, for the purpose of deciding on the position,” explaining that “the first meeting was held yesterday, and the second was held this afternoon, during which a final agreement was reached on naming the candidate for the position of Prime Minister.”
The formation of the government has been postponed until after Eid al-Adha, and the framework remains in an open-ended impasse.
The Independent - The selection of a prime minister candidate within the coordination framework has entered a more complicated phase, after the postponement of the meeting that was scheduled for Sunday evening, amid expectations that the decision will be postponed until after Eid al-Adha, as a number of deputies and leaders of the framework head to perform the Hajj rituals, and sharp disagreements continue regarding the proposed names and the mechanism for reaching a consensus candidate.
An informed source told Al-Mustaqilla that the postponement of the meeting was not an organizational procedure or related to time circumstances alone, but rather came as a result of a political deadlock within the framework forces, after the understandings regarding the future of the nomination between the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani faltered.
According to the source, Al-Sudani informed the framework forces of his categorical rejection of putting forward the name of Bassem Al-Badri as an alternative to Al-Maliki in the event that the latter decides to withdraw from the race, which added a new complication to the course of negotiations within the Shiite bloc.
The source explained that Maliki has not withdrawn from the competition so far, and is holding on to his right to run, while Sudani continues to hold on to the option of a second term, which has put the framework in front of a difficult equation: no clear withdrawal from Maliki, and no acceptance from Sudani of an alternative that he sees as close to the State of Law.
According to observers, these developments reveal the extent of the predicament within the coordination framework, as the dispute is no longer limited to the name of the candidate, but has extended to a broader question concerning who has the right to decide within the alliance, and whether its forces are capable of producing an internal settlement without breaking one of its main parties.
The source indicated that the expiration of the constitutional deadline without a final agreement increased the political pressure on the framework forces, but the fact that a number of deputies and leaders were heading to Hajj made the option of postponing until after Eid al-Adha more likely, given the absence of the necessary political ground for holding a decisive meeting in the coming days.
He added that some parties within the framework have begun to consider putting forward new names from outside the list of nine that were previously circulated, in an attempt to find a way out of the deadlock.
But this option does not seem easy, according to the source, because introducing new names may ease the tension between Maliki and Sudani, but it may, in turn, open up a new dispute over the balance of power within the framework, and over who has the right to present the “compromise candidate.”
This crisis comes at a time when the framework forces are facing increasing pressure to resolve the issue quickly. However, the depth of the disagreements, along with the preoccupation of a number of its leaders and deputies with the Hajj season, suggest that the resolution will be postponed until after Eid al-Adha, unless urgent internal mediations succeed in bringing the viewpoints closer.
The source confirmed that the scene is still open to political surprises, especially with the possibility of new names entering the race, in an attempt to prevent the nomination dispute from turning into a long-term governance crisis.
Between Maliki’s insistence on competing, Sudani’s insistence on a second term, and his rejection of some of the proposed alternatives, the coordination framework appears to be facing a difficult test: either to produce a settlement that preserves its cohesion after the holiday, or to enter a phase of political attrition that may reshuffle the cards of forming the government.
Al-Rasheed Bank launches installment purchase service via points of sale
The bank explained in a statement received by Al-Furat News Agency that: “The installments will be automatically deducted from the salary, with the possibility of easily monitoring and managing the installments through the Al-Rasheed Bank application, without the need to visit the branches.”
The bank indicated that "the service will be activated gradually for customers, and beneficiaries will receive a notification when it is activated on their accounts."
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Al-Zaydi: We will form a government that responds to the citizens' demands for establishing security and stability.
Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zidi affirmed on Monday (April 27, 2026) his intention to work with all political forces to form a new government that responds to the demands of citizens and contributes to consolidating security and stability and achieving comprehensive development in the country.
Al-Zaydi said in his first statement after being appointed, as reported by Baghdad Today, that “we are determined to work with various political forces to form a government capable of meeting the aspirations of Iraqis,” stressing the importance of national cooperation to overcome current challenges.
Al-Zaydi’s statement comes after he was officially tasked by the President of the Republic with forming the new government, following his nomination by the largest parliamentary bloc within the House of Representatives.
Ali al-Zaidi: From banking and administration to the Iraqi Prime Ministership (Profile)
President Nizar Amidi tasked him with forming the government, following the "Coordination Framework's" agreement on his nomination for the position of Prime Minister.
On Monday evening, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi tasked Ali al-Zaidi with forming the new government, following the agreement of the largest parliamentary bloc, the "Coordination Framework," to nominate him for the position of Prime Minister.
The consensus on al-Zaydi was strengthened after the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, and the head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, announced their withdrawal from the nomination, which paved the way for al-Zaydi to be the candidate of the “largest bloc,” according to a previous statement issued by the framework.
Earlier on Monday, the "Coordination Framework" announced that its political forces had agreed to nominate Ali al-Zaidi for the position of Prime Minister, a day after Iraq exceeded the time limit set by the constitution for appointing a candidate for the premiership, plunging the country into a state of "constitutional vacuum".
The “Coordination Framework” is the political umbrella that unites the main Shiite forces in Iraq (excluding the Sadrist movement). It was established after the 2021 elections to ensure political balance, and includes significant coalitions, most notably the “State of Law” led by Nouri al-Maliki, the “Fatah Alliance” led by Hadi al-Amiri, and the “State Forces” headed by Ammar al-Hakim.
** Professional and social life
Al-Zaydi (40 years old) comes from Dhi Qar Governorate in southern Iraq, to a family known for its social presence, according to the official news agency “WAA”.
On the academic level, Al-Zaydi obtained a master’s degree in finance and banking, preceded by two bachelor’s degrees in the same specialization in addition to law.
Al-Zaydi progressed through a number of administrative positions, as he chaired the boards of directors of: “The National Holding Company”, “The People’s University”, “Ishtar Medical Institute”, and “The Southern Bank” (formerly).
He also gained membership in the Iraqi Bar Association.
The official agency stated that Al-Zaidi's policies are based on "conducting a comprehensive institutional reform, achieving sustainable economic development, empowering youth, and linking education to the labor market."
Political context
Following his official appointment, Al-Zaidi faces the task of forming a government and leading the executive authority amidst internal and external political and security challenges.
The agreement on al-Zaydi came as a decisive "political way out" that ended the state of deadlock and constitutional failure that the country witnessed after the legal deadline for the assignment had passed.
On April 11, the Iraqi parliament elected Nizar Amidi as president of the country. Paragraph (a) of Article 76 of the constitution stipulates that "the President of the Republic shall, within 15 days from the date of his election, task the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming the Council of Ministers," which means that the constitutional deadline ended on Sunday.
According to a quota system between political forces, the position of President of the Republic is allocated to the Kurdish component and is occupied by Amidi, while the position of Prime Minister is for the Shiite component, and the position of Speaker of Parliament is for the Sunni component and is occupied by Hebat al-Halbousi.
The constitutional failure came as a result of the inability of the “coordination framework” (the largest parliamentary bloc) to translate its parliamentary weight into a decisive decision within the fifteen-day period granted to the President of the Republic since his election to complete the assignment process, due to internal disputes in addition to external pressures, specifically American ones.
US President Donald Trump’s statements rejecting Nouri al-Maliki’s nomination created a major obstacle, leading to a divergence of opinions within the framework between adhering to sovereignty in the choice and fearing international isolation.
The Prime Minister-designate: We will form a government that responds to the demands of the citizens.
Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Monday his intention to work with all political forces to form a new government that responds to the demands of citizens and contributes to consolidating security and stability and achieving comprehensive development in the country.
In his first statement after being appointed, Al-Zaydi said, “We are determined to work with various political forces to form a government capable of meeting the aspirations of Iraqis,” stressing the importance of national cooperation to overcome current challenges.
Al-Zaydi’s statement comes after he was officially tasked by the President of the Republic with forming the new government, following his nomination by the largest parliamentary bloc within the House of Representatives.
Electronic payment and service level
The electronic payment sector in Iraq is witnessing rapid growth driven by digital transformation and the expansion of financial services. We fully recognize that expanding electronic payment services is a crucial step in improving the quality of services provided to citizens. It facilitates daily transactions and reduces reliance on cash, saving time and effort, minimizing complexity and waiting times at institutions and service centers. This trend also enhances financial transparency and improves performance efficiency in both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, it provides broader opportunities for financial inclusion, enabling larger segments of society to access modern banking services. This, in turn, positively impacts economic stability and improves the overall level of service provided to citizens.
The Iraqi market is virgin and can accommodate a large volume of work. Here, the door to competition between workers in this field must be strengthened in the growing and large sector within Iraq, as the country needs a great and extensive effort in the field of electronic payment.
In fact, we feel the support of the Central Bank of Iraq and we hope for more for the electronic payment family within the Iraqi labor market, and that it will be the regulator that sponsors everyone to achieve the goals of the existence of electronic payment in Iraq, which is a destination for many specialists in this regard.
Upgrading electronic payment services in Iraq requires a great effort and must keep pace with global developments in this important field, which has become increasingly relevant to the lives of Iraqi families who interact with its products day after day.
Here, the new market must witness continuous development within the field of electronic payment, as the Iraqi citizen has begun to closely follow all the new developments in this field and the extent to which they are suitable for his needs and life requirements.
The support of the Central Bank of Iraq for this sector is a key success factor and a fundamental element in establishing trust between citizens and electronic payment institutions, through setting clear regulatory frameworks and monitoring the required technical and security standards, which ensures the protection of users’ funds and rights. Moreover, effective oversight contributes to creating a stable working environment that encourages investment and drives companies to develop their services and products in line with citizens’ needs.
Conversely, the success of the electronic payment system is linked to increasing societal awareness of the importance of these services and the mechanisms for using them. Providing technical means is not enough without building a digital financial culture among citizens. Therefore, education and awareness campaigns, along with the continuous development of the digital infrastructure and the expansion of service points, represent essential pillars to ensure the wider dissemination of these services and to achieve economic and social benefit.
The future of electronic payments in Iraq depends not only on quantitative expansion, but also on the quality of the competitive environment, which ultimately reflects on enhancing financial inclusion and building a sustainable digital economy.
An Iraqi bank announces an increase in its capital to 650 billion dinars.
The National Bank of Iraq announced on Sunday an increase in the bank's capital from 520 billion Iraqi dinars to 650 billion Iraqi dinars, through capitalizing part of the retained earnings and distributing 25% free shares to shareholders, stressing that it is a strategic step aimed at strengthening the capital base and supporting expansion and growth plans .
The bank said in a statement that "the decision was taken during the bank's annual general meeting, attended by shareholders in person and by proxy who own (90.69%) of the capital. The general assembly approved the distribution of cash dividends at a rate of 25%, the discharge of the chairman and members of the board of directors, and the appointment of auditors for the fiscal year 2026."
The statement quoted the bank’s chairman, Basim Khalil Al-Salem, as saying, “The decision to increase capital reflects the shareholders’ confidence in the bank’s strong financial position and constitutes a pivotal step in its growth journey. He pointed out that 2025 was an exceptional milestone in the bank’s journey, as it was able to achieve qualitative accomplishments that reflect the strength of its performance and its flexibility in facing economic challenges, and to enhance its presence as a leading financial institution in the Iraqi banking sector, thanks to a clear strategic vision, prudent management, and a committed team.”
He added that “during the past year, the bank continued to expand its services and strengthen its competitive position, achieving strong financial performance that reflects the confidence of its customers and shareholders, in a flexible banking environment, supported by the policies of the Central Bank of Iraq, which contributed to maintaining monetary stability and enhancing the strength of the banking sector and the confidence of depositors.”
Al-Salem explained that "the bank achieved net profits after tax of about 308 billion Iraqi dinars, compared to about 252 billion Iraqi dinars in the previous year, while its total assets increased to about 6.5 trillion Iraqi dinars, as a result of the continued growth in various banking activities."
He explained that “customer deposits increased from about 3.5 trillion Iraqi dinars to about 4 trillion Iraqi dinars, with a growth rate of about 15%, while direct credit facilities increased from about 1.8 trillion Iraqi dinars to about 2.8 trillion Iraqi dinars, with a growth rate of 56%, driven by the expansion in financing individuals and companies of various categories.”
Al-Salem pointed out that "the bank has strengthened its presence in international cooperation, through the signing of a credit financing agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) worth $100 million, which is the first of its kind in Iraq and aims to support trade finance activities, thus contributing to strengthening its role in supporting the Iraqi economy."
Al-Salem stressed "the importance of partnership with various entities supporting the banking sector," appreciating "the efforts led by the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq in consolidating monetary stability and enhancing the sector's resilience, and praising the role played by regulatory bodies in supporting the banking environment, including the Securities Commission, the Companies Registration Department, the Iraq Stock Exchange, and the Association of Iraqi Private Banks, for their role in promoting the stability of the financial sector and supporting the economic growth process."
For his part, the Managing Director of the National Bank of Iraq, Ayman Abu Dahim, affirmed that “the bank continues to implement a comprehensive digital transformation strategy aimed at building a sustainable and advanced banking infrastructure that supports innovation and keeps pace with the rapid developments in financial technologies, in order to ensure the provision of modern, secure and easily accessible banking services to customers,” noting that “during 2025, the bank worked to enhance its operational efficiency by applying the SWIFT MX standard and adopting advanced automation solutions for preparing reports in accordance with IFRS9 standards , which contributes to raising the levels of efficiency and compliance.”
As part of the bank's expansion of its services, Abu Dahim added that "the ATM network has witnessed a remarkable expansion, reaching 424 devices, and the bank's branch network has reached 41 branches and 3 offices spread across various governorates of Iraq, in addition to the bank's branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has contributed to strengthening financial and commercial integration between the Iraqi and Saudi markets."
Regarding future plans, Abu Dahim explained that "the bank is steadily implementing its expansion plans for 2026, which include opening about 15 new branches, bringing the total number of bank branches to 56, in addition to expanding the salary localization project, enhancing financing for small and medium enterprises, and increasing the attraction of deposits from individuals, companies and official institutions, which will enhance its presence in the Iraqi banking market."
Abu Dahim concluded by emphasizing the bank’s commitment to continuing to provide an advanced banking experience that places customers and partners at the heart of its priorities, expressing his appreciation for the customers’ trust and continued support, which constitutes a major incentive to continue the path of growth and development.
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