The name of Haider al-Abadi was not widely circulated in Iraqi media; the man liked to keep to himself and to stay out of the spotlight. People who know him, however, describe him as a “modest” and “practical” man, not a narcissist.
After long weeks of debates, dialogues, political battles and fiery statements, Haider al-Abadi, depicted as the nominee of “political compromises,” was chosen as new prime minister of Iraq, although his name was only recently suggested in the hallways of the house of Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the head of the National Coalition political bloc.
Deputy speaker of the house, and member of the State of Law parliamentary bloc, Abadi was nominated after the State of Law Coalition insisted that the nomination process reflect the fact that it won the April 30 legislative elections.
In his first statement, Abadi called on Iraqis to “unite against the barbaric campaign waged by the (Islamic State) militants.”
“Unite against the barbaric campaign waged by the (Islamic State) militants.” - Haidar al-Abadi
In a Facebook post, a few hours before his nomination, Abadi said “the security situation in Baghdad is very stable. Armed sectors are moving around to provide additional protection to the capital since the nomination of a new prime minister is approaching.”
“The deadline for appointing a new prime minister was extended to 3 pm on Monday, and the National Coalition is about to choose an acceptable nominee,” he added.
Born and raised in Baghdad’s eastern Karada district in 1952, Abadi studied electrical engineering at the University of Technology in the Iraqi capital, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1975. In 1980 he completed a doctorate in electronic and electric engineering at the University of Manchester in the UK.
Abadi was a prominent member of the opposition against the Baath regime outside Iraq. He participated in the opposition’s activities and took part in the opposition’s national conferences that were attended by the Islamic Dawa party.
In 1983 his passport was revoked following an order by the regime’s intelligence leadership accusing him of participating in anti-regime activities, as revealed in documents that were later discovered.
He was spokesman for the Islamic Dawa party in Britain and other countries, and addressed international media to denounce the Baath regime while defending the Iraqi people and rejecting the siege.
Abadi is an old comrade of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki at the Islamic Dawa party, currently headed by Maliki himself. In 2003 he surfaced among the party’s most prominent leaders.
Abadi is tipped as a moderate, maintaining good relations with all political parties in Iraq, especially the leaders of the Higher Islamic Council, headed by Ammar al-Hakim and the Sadrist Movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr. The latter contacted him straight after his nomination and invited him to “coordinate” together.
Regarding dialogue and mutual understanding, Abadi is seen as a suitable figure by the National Coalition, due to his positive relations with all parties.
However, for political parties outside the coalition, and especially Kurdish parties, his intentions and the way he deals with thorny issues are being “tested,” particularly as he is politically affiliated to the State of Law Coalition which includes forces insistent that Maliki reassume power for a third term.
Meanwhile, the nomination of Abadi is set to pave the way to repair the relations of the State of Law Coalition with political parties inside and outside the National Coalition, which were shaken by the disputes over Maliki’s third term.
Although appointing Abadi as prime minister is depicted as a moral victory for parties who opposed a third term for Maliki, the prime minister’s position is in fact still held by the State of Law, which believes that it has earned this right constitutionally after winning the elections.
Furthermore, politicians who knew Abadi describe him as a Dawa Party fanatic who shares Maliki’s positions on many of the country’s political problems. For them, Abadi’s nomination came only as a response to the many calls for change, especially those launched by leading religious figures who called on politicians not to cling onto their posts.
Concerning foreign policy, an Iraqi politician who preferred to remain anonymous explained that even though Iran favors Maliki as prime minister under the current security and political circumstances, it has not objected to the nomination of Abadi, whose statements are interpreted as being close to Tehran’s positions on Iraq. He has also consistently called for closer ties between both countries.
Sources close to Abadi say that he hates “stardom,” but knows how to engage in long and elaborate political discussions. They admitted that he lacks Maliki’s firmness, but explained that he will seek a policy of consensus.
While some in Iraq believe that the country hit by disputes and instability needs a prime minister of Abadi’s nature, others warn that this will make him a weak prime minister who would yield to the wishes of political forces, threatening to slow down the pace of the fight against terrorism.
This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition.
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