A breakthrough is expected for al-Zidi’s cabinet; Parliament awaits the names of candidates for nine ministerial portfolios.
A breakthrough is expected for al-Zidi’s cabinet; Parliament awaits the names of candidates for nine ministerial portfolios.
8-24-2026
The Iraqi Parliament is awaiting the submission of new nominees for the nine remaining ministerial posts in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet. This follows political maneuvering and a meeting of the State Administration Coalition to finalize the matter and present candidates for the remaining portfolios. The initial session to grant confidence to the government saw the rejection of some nominees put forward by the State of Law Coalition, the Azm Coalition, and the Democratic Party. This has left al-Zaidi’s government incomplete, particularly in the Ministries of Interior and Defense, amidst the ongoing crisis and regional developments stemming from the war.
Salah Boushi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, told Al-Maalomah that “the State of Law Coalition has left the final decision to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to choose whomever he deems suitable for the Interior and Higher Education portfolios, after the coalition submitted its nominees for these two ministerial positions.”
He added that “the coalition submitted a list of candidates and sent the names to Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi to choose two from among them,” noting that “the State of Law coalition is not focusing on the name but rather on the qualifications of each candidate for the ministerial portfolios, in accordance with the government program agreed upon within the coordination framework.”
He explained that “the most important thing for the State of Law coalition at this stage is to help the Prime Minister complete the remaining ministerial portfolios and not to think about obstructing or placing obstacles in the way of completing the cabinet, especially since the priority now lies in the success of the government and enabling it to fulfill its responsibilities.”
For his part, Ali Hussein, a member of the coordination framework, confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “the mechanism for submitting candidates for the ministerial cabinet has changed from previous sessions, where political blocs would put forward three candidates for each ministerial portfolio, with one to be chosen if the first-ranked candidate was rejected.”
He continued, “The political blocs’ decision to submit only one candidate for each ministerial portfolio has created confusion in the process of selecting ministers, as the rejection of a candidate during the confidence vote session was not met with the submission of an alternative candidate for a vote.”
In a related development, Mohammed al-Fahdawi, a member of the United Anbar Alliance, explained to Al-Maalomah that “political custom dictates nominating a competent military figure for the position of Minister of Defense for a vote in Parliament.”
He added that “what has been circulating in recent days regarding the possibility of nominating a political figure for the position of Minister of Defense is completely untrue, as the ministry needs a military figure in the ministerial role.”
He pointed out that “the military institution has its own respect, esteem, and unique character, and the Minister of Defense will be nominated from within its ranks,” emphasizing the necessity of “professional institutions and capable leaders who can manage the situation in the coming phase.”
almaalomah.me
