Iraq’s parliament has postponed a session scheduled for Thursday to complete the formation of the cabinet until next week, amid continued disagreements over candidates for several vacant ministerial positions.
A well-informed source said the delay was driven by unresolved disputes over nominees for the Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs, Youth and Sports, and Planning, Construction and Housing.
The source said the Kurdistan Democratic Party remains committed to nominating Ribaz Hamlan for the Ministry of Construction and Housing, while also preparing to put forward a party candidate for the newly proposed position of fourth deputy prime minister.
The Coordination Framework is due to meet on Monday to discuss completing the government formation, while the State Administration Coalition is expected to hold a meeting on Tuesday to address the same issue, according to the source.
Lawmaker Badr Al-Fahl said political blocs have submitted their nominees for the vacant ministerial posts, adding that the decision now rests with Prime Minister Ali Al-Zeidi, who must select the candidates and forward their names to parliament for a confidence vote.
Al-Fahl said no specific date has yet been set for a parliamentary session to vote on the nominees.
Meanwhile, a well-informed source said the State of Law Coalition, led by Nouri Al-Maliki, has formally nominated Yasser Sakheel for the Interior Ministry, while Haider Baha, currently dean of the College of Pharmacy at Al-Nahrain University, has been nominated for the Higher Education Ministry.
Leaders of the Coordination Framework are also scheduled to meet Monday evening in the presence of the prime minister and finance minister to discuss completing the cabinet and the draft budget for next year.
