ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s chances of securing a second term have become “much stronger” after US President Donald Trump warned against electing Nouri al-Maliki, an advisor to the premier told The New Region on Wednesday.

Trump on Tuesday stressed that Washington will no longer help Baghdad if former premier and head of the State of Law Coalition Maliki becomes the next prime minister, criticizing his “insane policies and ideologies.”

The Shiite politician was designated as the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework’s pick for the next prime minister earlier in the week.

“After Donald Trump's message, Maliki's opportunity to become Prime Minister has burned out, and Sudani's chances for a second term have become much stronger,” an advisor to Sudani said, on the condition of anonymity.

“We also hope to be saved from the likes of Maliki in these times,” the advisor stressed.

Maliki’s previous term was riddled with rampant corruption, inflamed sectarianism, and the lightning rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) across swathes of the country. He ultimately stepped down amid major security setbacks – factors that continue to shape the debate over his potential return to office.

His time in office also saw the start of a years-long budgetary conflict between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that has persisted thus far. The KRG has struggled to pay civil servant salaries consistently for over a decade as a result of sanctions imposed by Baghdad.

The premier’s advisor added that Trump’s message indicates that the Sudani’s time in office “have been accepted at the international level.”

“Sudani has the largest faction inside and outside the Coordination Framework, and this is a very good reason that increases his chances for a second term,” he argued.

Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition emerged as the main party in the country in the November elections after securing 46 seats, while Maliki’s State of Law Coalition won 29 seats in the recent elections, placing third.

Earlier in January, reports emerged that Sudani had stepped down and thrown his weight behind Maliki, supporting him to reassume the position.

With the recent development, the chances of Maliki returning to premiership have narrowed, putting Sudani back in competition for a second term.