An informed source revealed on Wednesday that former Iraqi lawmaker Hadi Al-Salami has been assigned to serve as an adviser to the prime minister on border crossings, customs and transport affairs. However, the details of the appointment have not yet been officially outlined.
The source said the Prime Minister’s Office has yet to specify the responsibilities and powers that Al-Salami will hold in his new role.
Separately, political discussions are reportedly underway to reactivate the two vice-presidential positions as part of understandings among the State Administration Coalition’s political forces for the coming period. The proposed financial arrangements would limit compensation for the positions to nominal salaries, without office allowances or the creation of additional job grades, in line with the approach being considered for deputy prime ministers.
Last Thursday, Iraq’s Council of Representatives voted to appoint three deputies to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and approved 11 ministries, including vacant and newly established portfolios. The Ministry of Migration and Displacement was excluded from the vote.
