The formation of the new government: between freedom of choice and the blackmail of political blocs
The formation of the new government: between freedom of choice and the blackmail of political blocs
4-30-2026
Information / Report…
All eyes are on the Green Zone, awaiting the outcome of Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi’s efforts to finalize the formation of the anticipated government. Crucial questions remain about his ability to escape the grip of political blackmail that political blocs have exerted in previous attempts to form a government. While al-Zaidi raises the banner of “freedom of choice” and reliance on independent experts, free from partisan dictates, the biggest challenge lies in the 30-day constitutional deadline. Will the designated prime minister succeed in presenting a complete cabinet within one month and breaking the shackles of sectarian quotas, or will the pressure of time and the maneuvers of the blocs force him to repeat past scenarios by passing an “incomplete government” and leaving sovereign ministries vacant and run by acting ministers, thus transforming the task of forming a government from nation-building into mere compromises to appease political partners?
In this context, former MP Abdul Hadi al-Saadawi, a member of the political bureau of the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, confirmed on Thursday that the prime minister-designate will face difficulties in completing his cabinet within the constitutional deadline, suggesting that an incomplete government will likely be presented for a vote.
Al-Saadawi told the Al-Maalouma news agency, “The prime minister-designate will face real obstacles in choosing his ministers, even though the distribution of positions is based on parliamentary entitlement.” He added, “The statements from political blocs claiming to grant the prime minister-designate freedom of choice are merely empty rhetoric.”
He further stated, “The reality is that each political party is trying to reap the greatest possible gains for itself and impose specific individuals to fill ministerial portfolios, which complicates the situation for the prime minister-designate.”
Al-Saadawi indicated that “the prime minister-designate will not be able to finalize the cabinet within the 30-day period,” predicting that “parliament will vote on only part of the government, repeating scenarios witnessed in previous sessions.”
It is worth noting that the Coordination Framework forces announced last Monday evening their nomination of Ali al-Zaidi for the premiership, following the withdrawal of al-Sudani and al-Maliki from the race for the position. This move opened the door to a new settlement within the Shiite political bloc after weeks of political deadlock regarding the formation of the next government and the distribution of its sovereign and service-oriented ministries.
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