Ali al-Zaidi
Iraqi politician and businessman (born 1986)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi (Arabic: علي فالح كاظم الزيدي; born 1986) is an Iraqi multimillionaire banker, businessman and politician who has been the prime minister-designate of Iraq since 27 April 2026.[1][2]
Ali al-Zaidi | |
|---|---|
علي الزيدي | |
Al-Zaidi in 2026 | |
| Prime Minister-designate of Iraq | |
| Assuming office May 2026 | |
| President | Nizar Amidi |
| Succeeding | Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1986 (age 39–40) |
| Party | Independent |
Other political affiliations | Coordination Framework |
| Occupation |
|
Early life and education
Business career
He was appointed chairman of Al-Watania Holding Group, a private multi-sector conglomerate[6] that was founded in 2017.[7] Al-Zaidi also heads the board of directors at Al-Shaab University, the Ishtar Medical Institute, in addition to being the CEO and owner of Dijlah TV,[8][9][4] and the Taawon Hypermarket chain in Baghdad.[9] He is also the owner of al-Oways Group, a conglomerate that includes 15 companies that operate in different industries such as food trade, agricultural and livestock production, contracting, printing, security services, electronics and oil. It also has contracts with the Iraqi Ministry of Trade.[10] He previously served as chairman of the board of directors for the Al-Janoob Islamic Bank until his resignation in 2019,[11] garnering experience in banking management and financial governance. According to The New York Times, the bank was sanctioned by the United States in 2024 over alleged money laundering on behalf of Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia militias,[12] fraud, and the illicit use of US currency, and was also banned by the Central Bank of Iraq.[13] According to an investigation conducted by the American financial crime assessment company K2 Integrity, no credible evidence was found linking al-Zaidi to Iran-linked financial activities. A source from within the company speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasised that the previous restrictions imposed on al-Zaidi's bank were "for reasons of reputational risk rather than proven involvement in money laundering".[14]
Political career
Al-Zaidi was not widely known in Iraq's political landscape prior to his nomination as prime minister-designate,[7] with sources describing him as a "political newcomer".[15][16] In the public sector, al-Zaidi previously worked with the Ministry of Trade, where he managed the administration of the national ration card system.[9]
Premiership
On 27 April 2026, the Coordination Framework (CF) nominated al-Zaidi as a consensus candidate to succeed Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.[15] He was officially tasked by president Nizar Amidi to form a government immediately following his nomination by CF.[9][17] Per the Constitution of Iraq, al-Zaidi has 30 days to select his cabinet members and present them to the Council of Representatives for a vote of confidence.[17][18]
The decision came after a weeks-long deadlock within the coalition, which had previously backed former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki but later withdrew his candidacy after US president Donald Trump threatened to withhold Iraq's access to the petrodollar over al-Maliki's pro-Iranian stance.[15] Al-Zaidi's nomination came after a meeting at the residence of Popular Mobilization Forces leader Falih al-Fayyad in Baghdad, and was agreed upon by both al-Maliki and sitting prime minister al-Sudani. According to al-Sudani, there was a "lack of consensus" on naming a candidate during the meeting, and al-Zaidi was chosen in order to break the political deadlock.[9] Faiq Zaidan, the president of the Supreme Judicial Council, was involved in al-Zaidi's nomination as a settlement candidate.[19]
In his first public statement since his nomination, al-Zaidi said that his government would expand on prior efforts to improve social services and conditions, while assessing risks and capitalizing on opportunities. He also encouraged cooperation between Iraq's "political and social forces" amidst his appointment, and affirmed his intention to maintain balanced diplomatic relations both regionally and internationally.[20]
On 29 April 2026, the US embassy in Iraq welcomed the nomination of al-Zaidi, stating: "The US Mission in Iraq extends its best wishes to Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi as he works to form a government capable of fulfilling the aspirations of all Iraqis for a brighter and more peaceful future."[21]