Al-Zaidi, Maliki Stress Need to Complete Iraq’s Cabinet Formation
Iraqi PM and State of Law leader call for accelerating cabinet formation to strengthen government performance and advance economic and administrative reforms
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, on Saturday stressed the need to accelerate the completion of the government’s cabinet formation to strengthen the performance of state institutions.
The two leaders met to discuss the overall situation in Iraq and a number of political issues, according to a statement from the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of supporting the government’s efforts to combat corruption and implement economic and administrative reforms, the statement said.
Al-Zaidi and al-Maliki stressed the need to complete the cabinet formation in a manner that would help improve government performance and enable the administration to implement its program and the strategic plans and development projects included in its agenda.
The emphasis on completing the cabinet comes as Iraq’s government continues efforts to fill remaining ministerial positions.
Parliament granted confidence to al-Zaidi’s government and 14 ministers in May, while several ministerial nominations failed to secure approval at the time.
The government’s broader program includes economic and financial reform, institutional reform, combating corruption, improving public services, strengthening governance and advancing development across several sectors.
The latest meeting underscores the importance of political coordination among Iraq’s major forces as the government seeks to complete its cabinet and move forward with its economic, administrative and development priorities.
The meeting comes as al-Zaidi’s government continues to operate with an incomplete cabinet. Parliament approved the government on May 14 with only part of the proposed ministerial lineup, leaving several key portfolios vacant amid political disagreements.
The prolonged delay has complicated efforts to fully activate state institutions and advance the government’s reform agenda.
Political negotiations over the remaining posts have continued in recent months, with al-Zaidi and political leaders repeatedly calling for the cabinet to be completed.