BAGHDAD Iraq lawmakers today approved a Sunni-backed coalition’s choice for parliament speaker, setting in motion the process for forming a new government under a deal that returns Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to power.

Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni member of the Iraqiya coalition that tried to prevent a second al-Maliki term, was approved with 227 votes out of 295 votes cast.

The agreement worked out late Wednesday gives Iraqiya the parliament speaker’s post and the Kurds the presidency and keeps al-Maliki in office.

Al-Nujaifi is seen as a Sunni hard-liner who has strong backing among his community in the north but is hated by many Kurds.

His power and personality may be able to bring more authority to what has before been a lackluster position.