600 billion for oil and 400 billion for electricity… “The ministerial exchange” ignites divisions within the Reconstruction and Development bloc
600 billion for oil and 400 billion for electricity… “The ministerial exchange” ignites divisions within the Reconstruction and Development bloc
5-21-2026
Information / Special ..
The circle of controversy and disagreement is widening within the Reconstruction and Development bloc led by former Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, with the rise of serious talk about huge financial deals that accompanied the nomination of ministers within Ali Al-Zidi’s government, most notably the ministries of oil and electricity, which have been described for years as the “open treasury” for parties and influential forces. Political and parliamentary sources have circulated information that speaks of suspicions related to the nomination and management of the two ministries, amid increasing calls to open an official investigation to reveal the truth about what is happening behind the closed doors of power.
A parliamentary source who recently defected from the Reconstruction and Development bloc told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the nomination of Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi was done after paying 600 billion dinars, while the nomination of Electricity Minister Ali Saad Wahib was done with 400 billion dinars paid directly to the head of the bloc exclusively, which led to sharp disagreements within the bloc, which witnessed a wave of withdrawals and defections of a number of figures and deputies due to the lack of partnership in political decision-making, the monopolization of the nomination of ministers and senior positions by the head of the bloc, as well as the marginalization of a number of deputies and their exclusion from important files within the state.”
The source added that “the disputes worsened after the controversy escalated regarding the management of the Ministries of Oil and Electricity, especially with regard to projects, contracts and financial referrals, in addition to special pricing when appointing general managers to senior positions within the two ministries, which amounts to ten billion dinars. This angered a number of MPs belonging to the same bloc, and prompted some of them to withdraw or threaten to reveal files related to the way political and economic decision-making is managed within the bloc.”
The source believes that “the Ministries of Oil and Electricity have always remained the true center of gravity of the political conflict in Iraq, due to the enormous amount of money that passes through them annually, in addition to their direct connection to major projects, contracts, investments, fuel, energy and supply,” stressing that “any entity that controls these two ministries possesses broad political and financial influence that makes them the ‘golden goose’ in the Iraqi governance equation.”
Amid these escalating accusations, politicians and activists are demanding a comprehensive judicial and oversight investigation to uncover the truth regarding the files related to contracts, tenders, appointments, and revenues, particularly those concerning the black oil file and the funds generated from it, as well as the nature of the relationship between political decision-making centers and the companies benefiting from major projects within the two ministries.
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