Iraqs Parliament Approves New Government Led by Ali Al-Zaidi

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been sworn in with a partial cabinet after lawmakers failed to reach consensus on key postings.

On Thursday, the Council of Representatives voted to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and its ministerial program. The prime minister and other ministers who secured parliamentary confidence took the constitutional oath of office, formally assuming their duties.

According to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), 14 out of 23 proposed ministers were approved during the session. However, lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on several remaining posts, including the interior and defense portfolios.

The new government lineup includes Basim Mohammed as the country’s oil minister and Fuad Hussein as foreign minister. The prime minister has yet to announce his government program publicly.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was chosen to form the new government on April 27 after President Nizar Amedi named him prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a government. He is Iraq’s youngest prime minister at the age of 40.

Al-Zaidi will face significant challenges, including disarming Iran-backed militias, tackling entrenched corruption, and balancing ties between Washington and Tehran. His selection broke a months-long deadlock in which United States President Donald Trump had intervened.

Notably, Prime Minister al-Zaidi has no prior experience in politics or government administration. He holds bachelor’s degrees in law and finance, as well as a master’s degree in banking and finance.

Source: Al Jazeera