Protesters chanted “Sudani, out!” in opposition to Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the former minister of Labor and Social Affairs, who was nominated for prime minister Monday by the largest bloc in parliament, the pro-Iran Coordination Framework.
Al-Sudani was elected by Nouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister of Iraq. Before al-Sudani can meet with parliament to officially run as prime minister, parties must first elect a president.
The protests were the largest since the federal election in October, and since then politicians have failed to form a government.
In parliament, protesters were filmed walking on tables and waving Iraqi flags.