Shafaq News publishes the list of candidates for ministerial portfolios amid disagreements over some positions.
Shafaq News publishes the list of candidates for ministerial portfolios amid disagreements over some positions.
10-14-2026
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Tuesday the names of a number of candidates to fill the vacant ministerial portfolios in Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi’s government, distributed among different political blocs and forces, amid anticipation of a parliamentary session to vote on them according to the date proposed by the Prime Minister, while consultations are still ongoing to decide on the positions of his deputies.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the list of candidates put forward for voting includes Safaa Al-Kinani to assume the Ministry of Youth and Sports on behalf of the Hikma Movement, and Muhammad Sahib Al-Daraji for the Artificial Intelligence portfolio, or its equivalent in a new ministerial designation, on behalf of the Services Alliance, while the name of Ali Al-Dakhili was put forward for the Ministry of Tourism as a compromise candidate within the political understandings.”
He added that “the Sadiqun bloc nominated Mohammed al-Moussawi to head the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, while the State of Law coalition put forward two candidates, Yasser al-Maliki for the Ministry of Interior, and Haider Bahaa for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.”
The source indicated that “the Kurdistan Democratic Party nominated Ribaz Hamlan to take over the Ministry of Reconstruction and Housing.”
Regarding the share of Sunni political forces, the source explained that “the names being circulated include Mohammed Tamim for the position of Deputy Prime Minister, amid political controversy regarding his nomination for this position, along with Nayef Al-Shammari for the Ministry of Defense, Mohammed Ali Al-Nuaimi for the Ministry of Planning, and Zaid Ali for the Ministry of Culture.”
The source confirmed that “the list is still subject to change until the last moments before the House of Representatives session dedicated to voting, in light of the ongoing negotiations between the political parties regarding some portfolios and positions.”
He pointed out that “the consultations regarding the selection of candidates for the positions of deputy prime ministers may be completed Wednesday, in light of a political trend to pass the candidates as one package, which includes ministers and deputy prime ministers, Ali Al-Zidi.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi sent an official letter to the House of Representatives, proposing that Thursday, October 15, 2026, be set as the date for voting on the candidates for deputy prime ministers and the vacant and newly created ministries.
Al-Zaydi explained in the book that the deputy prime ministers will not receive salaries or financial allocations, and no new appointments will be made for their offices.
shafaq.com
