ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi parliament on Thursday voted Ali al-Zaidi in as the next prime minister, approving his government program and 14 members of his cabinet. Votes on nine remaining ministerial positions, including the crucial defense and interior portfolios, were deferred.
"I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Council of Representatives and the national political forces for granting their confidence to the government,” Zaidi said in a statement after taking the oath of office, adding that the move was a “stance that embodies the primacy of the national interest and the spirit of partnership and responsibility.”
He further noted that this confidence represents a “great trust and a pledge before our beloved people that we shall move forward with steadfastness toward consolidating stability, enhancing the prestige of the state, and achieving the aspirations of Iraqis for development, justice, and a dignified life."
In the 329-seat Iraqi legislature, 266 lawmakers were present to deliver the vote of confidence. Except for three Kurdish opposition parties totaling 10 seats and a Shiite party with eight seats, all other Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish blocs attended the session.
Approved and rejected ministries
Zaidi did not submit the names of the ministers of defense, immigration, labor, culture, and agriculture, according to a document obtained by Rudaw before the session. Their vote was deferred to the beginning of June.
He arrived at the parliament premises with 19 ministerial candidates, including 10 from Shiite factions, four from Sunni groups, and four from Kurdish parties.
Out of the candidates affiliated with the Shiite parties, seven were approved, and three were rejected. Both appointees put forward by the State of Law Coalition- led by former premier Nouri al-Maliki - for the ministries of interior and higher education failed to secure enough votes from lawmakers.
Ali al-Zarjawi, a State of Law Coalition lawmaker, told Rudaw that they were “targeted” by the parliament’s presidency as it was agreed to settle the defense and interior ministries first, but they were moved to the end of the line, and hence the vote was “blocked even though a clear majority was calling for it.”
“This is a dangerous warning sign for the spirit of partnership among the political forces," he told Rudaw.
The Hikma Movement, led by Ammar al-Hakim, secured the finance ministry but failed to win approval for its nominee for the youth ministry.
Meanwhile, candidates nominated by outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani for the oil and electricity ministries were successfully approved.
The Badr Organization and two other Shiite factions secured the remaining confirmed portfolios, including health, transportation, water resources, and communications.
As for the Sunni parties - the Azm Alliance, Sovereignty, and the Taqadum Alliance - they secured three ministries designated to them: education, industry, and trade; while failing to secure the planning ministry.
The Kurdish factions secured three out of their four allocated seats. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) candidate for the justice ministry was approved, and the environment ministry was secured by its ally, the New Generation Movement.
However, while the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) saw its nominee for the foreign ministry confirmed, its candidate for the housing ministry failed to gain approval.
“There was a prepared plan against our candidate,” Ashwaq Jaff, a lawmaker from the KDP faction, told Rudaw.
“The lawmakers were receiving messages asking them not to vote for Rebaz Hamlan [KDP’s candidate for housing ministry],” she added.
US veto on some factions
Zarjawi explained that “the Americans held a veto against the participation of several parties that possess armed groups."
"The American envoy held continuous visits and meetings with the political forces. The Americans expressed reservations against the inclusion of certain armed groups within the Iraqi government,” he said, adding that was the underlying reason that “several ministries were postponed."
The Iraqi parliament is scheduled to organize another session following the recess, and once political parties reach an agreement, to fill the nine remaining vacant ministries in Zaidi’s cabinet.
Earlier on Thursday, Hussein Sheihani, a member of the political bureau of the Sadiqoun Movement - the political wing of the US-designated Asaib Ahl al-Haq - told Rudaw that their share of the ministries will not be voted on today.
"Saddiquon’s share includes a deputy prime minister post and the labor and social affairs ministry, " he said, adding that “these will not be voted on in today’s session and will be delayed."
According to Sheihani, PUK, Taqadum Party, and “other Shiite parties” will postpone the vote on one of their own ministries in “solidarity regarding Saddiqoun’s delay.”
Additionally, several other groups have not yet been granted ministerial posts, including Ahmed al-Asadi, head of the Sanad National Bloc and leader of Kata'ib Jund al-Imam, the Services Alliance led by Shibl al-Zaydi, the Muntasirun Bloc led by Abu Ala al-Walai, and the faction of Haider al-Gharawi, Secretary-General of the Ansar Allah al-Awfiya group.
Updated at 10:45 PM
