Iraqi Parliament votes in two more ministries, reject defense, postpone interior
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Parliament on Monday approved two more ministers in Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s 22-seat cabinet with ongoing disputes over the remaining three.
In a session that ended with lawmakers from Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s Islah bloc withdrawing, MPs voted in favor of Abdul-Mahdi’s candidates Nawfal Musa Baha and Shaima’ Khalil for the ministerial posts of Immigration and Displacement and Education, respectively.
Lawmakers also voted against Defense Minister Nominee Faysal al-Jarba, meaning the prime minister has to present a new name.
Sadr’s bloc left the session when the time came to cast ballots on the Shia-held coveted post of Interior Minister, for which the candidate is Falih Fayyadh. It is unclear whether the vote on Justice Minister was to come after that of Interior.
Fayyadh is a candidate presented by the pro-Iran al-Fatih Alliance led by Hadi al-Amiri, which heads al-Bina Coalition, one of two major factions in parliament along with Islah.
Sadr has repeatedly stated his opposition to Fayyadh’s nomination, or that of any politically-affiliated candidate, to important posts. He has also called for independents to be placed in those ministries.
This leaves the posts of Interior, Justice, and Defense vacant. Parliament later adjourned its session until Jan. 8, 2019.
The ongoing disputes highlight the difficulties Abdul-Mahdi faces as he attempts to form his now two-month-old government. The PM has said the continued delays in the cabinet formation have “hindered the ability of the government to implement the agenda” of the PM “in accordance with his ambitious schedule.”
Last Tuesday, parliament gave its vote of confidence to Qusai Suhel for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdul-Amir Hamdani for the Ministry of Culture, and Nouri al-Dulaimi for the Ministry of Planning. They are scheduled to take oath on Thursday, according to lawmakers.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany