Mohammed Shiya al-Sudani was formally nominated on Monday to lead the country by the Coordination Framework, the largest Shia alliance in the Iraqi parliament.
His appointment followed the massive resignation of the parliamentary bloc of al-Sadr, a group of more than 70 lawmakers that withdrew from the governing body last month in an apparent show of power after months of political deadlock.
“If the Sadrist Bloc Stays” [in parliament] If there is an obstacle to the formation of a government, all lawmakers of the bloc are honorably willing to resign from parliament,” Sadr said in a televised address in June.
The cleric, who positions himself against Iran as well as the United States, is immensely popular. His bloc’s success in the October vote threatened to sideline the Iran-affiliated Shia blocs that have long dominated the oil-rich country’s politics.
On Wednesday, al-Sadr told protesters in the parliament building that their “message” had been received and that they should return home.
“A revolution of reform and rejection of injustice and corruption. Your message has been received. You have terrified the corrupt. Pray and return home safely,” he tweeted.
The outgoing government of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also issued a statement calling on sadrists to “immediately withdraw from the Green Zone”, preserve public and private property, and abide by the instructions of the security forces.
“The security forces will work to protect state institutions and international missions and prevent any disruption to security and order,” al-Kadhimi added.