Maliki, a Shiite seeking a second term, assembled an array of political figures and tribal leaders in a hotel ballroom inside the heavily fortified Green Zone and pledged that his coalition, State of Law, would represent those “believing in the unity of Iraq and its social diversity.”

“The birth of the State of Law coalition is a historic turning point and a qualitative development in the building of a modern Iraqi state,” Maliki told the gathering.

Maliki’s strategy is something of a gamble, especially after he refused to join a rival coalition, the Iraqi National Alliance, dominated by parties that represent Shiites, the majority of Iraqis. A coalition with Maliki unchallenged in the top spot was not a surprise, but its unveiling on Thursday was a measure of his ability to draw support across the country, especially in areas where Shiites are a minority.

State of Law embraces 40 parties or organizations, and Maliki and his aides on Thursday invited still more to join. Those who appeared with Maliki included Shiites and Sunnis, Kurds and Christians. On the stage and in the hall, the headdresses of tribal leaders significantly outnumbered the turbans of clerics, a significant shift, given the religious and sectarian roots of Maliki’s party, Dawa.