ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Hadi al-Amiri, the head of Fatih alliance, no longer intends to run for the prime minister of Iraq. He praised "the soul of compromise" among political parties in reaching consensus on Tuesday.
"Compromising is not a shame but an honor … What happened in the parliament was compromise and understanding,” he said in a press conference, referring to selection of Mohammed al-Halbousi as the new speaker of parliament.
Amiri is the head of the Iran-influenced Badr Organization. His brigades fought with the Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitias during the ISIS conflict. Iraq’s constitution forbids military or militia members from holding office.
"Iraq has to be rescued just like it was rescued from Daesh... therefore we have to choose someone who has a general consensus,” said Amiri, using another term for ISIS.
He did not disclose who he will support for the next prime minister. It’s expected for him to support State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, the previous Iraqi prime minister.
However last week, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said the Marja aren’t supporting “politicians who have been in authority in the past years.” However, he did not directly specify any names.
Amiri, who gained 47 seats (second most) in the May 12th Iraqi parliamentary election, said they are talks with both Sunni Arab and Kurdistani parties as well.
“Our al-Bina bloc is not only a Shiite one; more than 50 brothers from Sunnis are with us. This is a very big positive and righteous point,” said Amiri of a bloc that has the support of Fatih and some State of Law members.
Regarding the position of Iraqi presidency, he said that they have decided to support a Kurd for the position, but it should have the blessing of all parties.
He noted the constitution does not say that the president should be a Kurd, the prime minster a Shiite Arab, and the speaker a Sunni Arab.
Halbousi had massive support from Shiite politicians.
Iraq’s major parties are vying to form the biggest bloc in the parliament. Two blocs were announced: one was deemed as pro-US which included PM Haider al-Abadi, Muqtada al-Sadr and Ammar al-Hakim, while the other one was deemed pro-Iran which was mainly consisted of Amiri and Maliki.
However, recent protests in Basra over lack of basic services decreased the chance of a second term for Abadi and his ally, the Sayirun alliance, harshly criticized him. Some political parties have called for his resignation.
Kurdistani parties have not decided to side with any of these Shiite blocs, while Sunnis have been divided.
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