Who is Ali al-Zaidi, the businessman named as Iraq’s PM-designate?

Political outsider Ali al-Zaidi is tapped as Iraq’s new PM to break a months-long political deadlock.After months of political wrangling, Iraq’s Coordination Framework on Monday named Ali al-Zaidi, a multimillionaire business figure, as the compromise candidate of the governing Shia bloc.“After considering the names of the candidates, Ali al-Zaidi was chosen to be the candidate of the Coordination Framework bloc, as the largest bloc in the House of Representatives, to occupy the position of prime minister and form the next government,” a Coordination Framework statement read after a meeting in the capital Baghdad.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3How Iran has changed, and how it hasn’t, in two months of warlist 2 of 3Iraq appoints new prime minister-designatelist 3 of 3Will Iraq’s Shia bloc overcome obstacles to pick the next PM?end of listShortly after that, Iraq’s President Nizar Amedi appointed 40-year-old al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a government, averting a constitutional crisis.Al-Zaidi’s elevation comes after months of a frantic search for a compromise candidate acceptable to both local factions and foreign powers.Former President Nouri al-Maliki, a deeply divisive pro-Iran figure, was forced to withdraw from the race following opposition from US President Donald Trump. Outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who was brought to power by the Coordination Framework in 2022, failed to get the backing for a second term. Both Iran and the US have close ties with Baghdad.So who is the 40-year-old businessman al-Zaidi, and what worked in his favour? How will he navigate Iraq through one of its most volatile geopolitical chapters?Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s candidature was opposed by President Trump [AFP]From boardrooms to politicsUnlike his predecessors, al-Zaidi has no history in political office or government administration. Born in the capital, Baghdad, to a prominent family originating in the southern province of Dhi Qar, he built his career in the private and academic sectors.