BAGHDAD, Iraq – As Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki arrived in Tehran this week, his party said the official visit was aimed at discussing ties and other issues, but powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said the premier was there to seek support for a third term in office.
“Nuri Maliki’s visit is for congratulating Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani (for his election victory) and discussing relations between the two countries,” said Ali Shala, an MP from the premier’s State of Law coalition.
“We want to talk about the crisis in Syria and Iran’s nuclear deal, which is important for the peace of the region,” he added.
Sadr said earlier this week that Iran does not favor Maliki running for a third time, and he advised the prime minister to step down after the end of his term next year.
“The Iranians have told me that they don't support Maliki for his third term as prime minister,” Sadr said.
“I advise brother Maliki to leave the third term for other people,” he said in reply to a question posted on his website by a supporter.
Shala insisted that rumors about Maliki’s pursuit of a third term and securing Tehran’s support are baseless.
“These are all propaganda and only the ballot boxes can decide on the next prime minister, not the neighboring countries,” he said.
Iran, Iraq’s eastern neighbor, is a major power-broker in Iraq, exercising great influence through Sadr and other Shiite parties it supports.
Despite Sadr’s comments, the State of Law official said that the National Alliance, a broad-based Shiite coalition comprising Sadrists, the Iraqi Supreme Islamic Council and State of Law, would re-nominate Maliki for a third tenure.
Sadr also said that Iraq’s important Shiite authorities do not interfere in politics, but even they prefer that Maliki not try for more years in office.
The Iraqi constitution does not limit the number of times the prime minister can remain in office. Despite efforts by some political parties to limit the office to two terms, that bill has failed to win the support of many Shiite lawmakers.
According to reports, the Iraqi premier will also discuss energy, electricity, water cooperation and border issues with the Iranians.
Sadr’s comments, as well as the recent resignation of senior party official Izaat Shabandar, signals deep fractures with the prime minister’s coalition. Iraq’s large Sunni and Kurdish minorities also have been deeply unhappy with Maliki and are highly unlikely to back him for a third term.
According to Iran’s Farsnews, in addition to meeting Rouhani, Maliki’s agenda in Iran includes talks with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.
