Iraq PM-designate opens candidacy for cabinet posts in new government

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Iraqi Prime Minister-designate has opened the doors for politicians to apply to become members of his cabinet while also noting he would not meet with local and foreign delegations until the formation of the new government.

Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq’s PM-designate, announced in a statement on Monday that candidates could submit their CVs online to apply to ministries and other posts.

Abdul Mahdi said the candidacy is now open, stressing that whoever finds himself or herself competent and is willing to be nominated for a ministerial post can do so between Oct. 9 and 11 through a website created for that purpose.

“The Prime Minister-designate’s consultation with all the relevant parties was related to the government formation, including the head of parliamentary blocs,” the statement said.

“Abdul Mahdi apologizes for not receiving guests and meeting with the leaders of the political parties and foreign diplomatic missions except for the very special cases,” it added.

According to the Prime Minister-designate, the delegations can either communicate with him via phone or through letters. He added that he wants to devote himself to completing the arrangements required to form the government and prepare his cabinet’s program.

On Oct. 2, newly-elected Iraqi President Barham Salih designated Abdul Mahdi to form the country’s new government following an agreement between the most significant numbers of the parliamentary blocs.

Abdul Mahdi served as Minister of Oil in Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet but resigned in 2016 after two years in office. He was also Iraqi Vice-President between 2005 and 2011.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany