Continuous delays and a caretaker government: Political disputes besiege al-Zidi’s cabinet
Continuous delays and a caretaker government: Political disputes besiege al-Zidi’s cabinet
9-14-2026
The government continues its work with acting ministers, limping along amidst significant external pressures and conditions imposed from abroad ,
as well as political disputes and divisions that have brought the situation to its current state. Despite some optimism following statements by certain politicians regarding reaching solutions to end the crisis and proceed with completing the cabinet, this optimism remains cautious due to renewed disagreements and pressures exerted from time to time from abroad, aimed at establishing a government aligned with American interests and serving Washington’s agenda.
Ali al-Fatlawi, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, told Al-Maalomah, “The political forces are still stalling on the cabinet formation, despite calls to finalize the vote on the vacant ministerial portfolios in al-Zaidi’s government.”
He added, “There are calls to nominate more than one candidate for each vacant ministerial post, while some blocs insist on presenting only one candidate. This leaves the Prime Minister no room to choose or select a candidate from among the nominees.”
He explained that “the issue of submitting more than one candidate for each ministerial portfolio has been raised within the coordination framework, in order to approve them this month to fill the ministerial vacancies and ensure the completion of al-Zidi’s cabinet.”
For his part, Member of Parliament Mahmoud Shaker confirmed to Al-Maalomah that “the political scene is witnessing sharp differences in viewpoints and the insistence of some parties on their quotas and entitlements, which has delayed the completion of the cabinet formation and the filling of the remaining positions.” He indicated that “negotiations are still encountering conflicting conditions and demands regarding the distribution of the deputy prime minister positions and their powers.”
He added that “the position of deputy prime minister has become an arena of competition among political forces, with each bloc striving to impose its candidates in a way that ensures balance and influence within the executive branch. Linking the completion of the vacant ministries to resolving the issue of deputy prime ministers has further complicated the situation and delayed the submission of names to Parliament for a vote.”
He pointed out that “the continuation of acting administrations and the delay in filling sensitive positions imposes additional burdens on government performance and affects the implementation of the service and economic program,” calling for “prioritizing the national interest and intensifying dialogues between political blocs to resolve the issue of deputy prime ministers and the vacant ministerial portfolios.”
In a related context, MP Ahmed Dagher explained to Al-Maalomah that “political disagreements regarding the deputy prime ministers have contributed to the delay in completing the cabinet, as resolving this issue requires reaching understandings between the political forces.”
He added that “the issue of deputy prime ministers represents a redundant layer and does not offer the government anything,” indicating that “the current stage requires focusing on completing the cabinet formation and strengthening the government’s work.”
He stressed “the importance of expediting the resolution of disputes related to government positions, which will contribute to completing the cabinet and proceeding with the implementation of the government program.”
almaalomah.me
