Paralyzing sovereign ministries: Behind-the-scenes deals threaten political stability in Iraq
Paralyzing sovereign ministries: Behind-the-scenes deals threaten political stability in Iraq
5-16-2026
Information/Report…
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s cabinet continues to face “deliberate obstacles” preventing the completion of its sovereign ministries, amidst explicit parliamentary and political accusations against the “Progress” coalition, led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, of spearheading obstruction and bargaining over the Interior and Higher Education portfolios. Observers believe this delay transcends mere competition for positions, extending to the implementation of foreign agendas aimed at destabilizing the Shiite political bloc.
Deliberate obstruction and confusion regarding the security file
. MP Ibtisam al-Hilali, in an exclusive statement to Al-Maalouma, clarified the situation, revealing the existence of suspicious “side agreements” between al-Halbousi’s coalition and other political parties, directly aimed at subjecting the Interior and Higher Education ministries to the logic of power-sharing and bargaining.
Al-Hilali says, “This obstruction is not merely a difference of opinion, but a deliberate act that disrupts the security situation at a time when the country needs a stable leadership at the Ministry of Interior. It also threatens the academic process by leaving the Ministry of Education vacant.” She warns that prioritizing narrow partisan interests over the stability of state institutions will lead to negative consequences that will affect the government’s performance in general.
In
a related context, it appears that the move led by Al-Halbousi has deeper dimensions than just “ministerial quotas.” This was confirmed by Zuhair Al-Jalabi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, who revealed that Al-Halbousi has an “internationally supported agenda” targeting the Shia component by undermining unity within the coordination framework.
Al-Jalabi indicated in his interview with Al-Maalouma that “the actions of the head of the Progress Party have become transparent, as he clearly sought to obstruct the vote on the candidates for the sovereign ministries during the session to grant confidence to Al-Zidi’s government.” He emphasized that these attempts aim to incite internal disputes within the coalition forces, but stressed that “the strength and cohesion of the coalition leaders will thwart these schemes hatched in the shadows.” The Ministries
of Interior and Higher Education remain a “bottleneck,”
and the question persists in political and public circles: how long will sensitive ministries like Interior and Higher Education remain hostage to the dictates of “obstructionist forces”? While Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zidi insists on completing his cabinet without pressure, Al-Halbousi’s bloc and its allies continue to stall for time, placing Parliament under a moral and legal responsibility to resolve the issue of acting ministers and finalize the portfolios, free from backroom deals.
It is worth noting that the last voting session did not result in the approval of the Interior and Higher Education portfolios due to the withdrawal of political parties, a move described by parliamentary circles as an attempt to “twist the arm” of the new government to extract partisan gains.
almaalomah.me
