Iraqi Parliament to Receive Government Programme This Week as Cabinet Vote Approaches

Iraqi parliament's media office

A previous session of the Iraqi parliament.

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi announced that the parliament will receive the government programme from Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi by the end of this week, while a lawmaker confirms that Kurds will be getting four ministries.

At the opening of the parliamentary session on Monday, 4 May 2026, al-Halbousi added that the proposed cabinet members would be presented next week for a parliamentary vote.

Ramyar Haider, a lawmaker of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in the Iraqi parliament, told PUKMEDIA that the government programme prepared by al-Zaidi would be submitted within the stated timeframe. 

He added that most ministerial portfolios have been agreed upon, noting that Kurdish parties are expected to receive four ministries, likely including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, either Ministry Environment or Higher Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works.

Haider further stated that the positions of deputy prime minister would be shared between Kurdish and Sunni representatives, while vice-presidential posts would be distributed between Sunni and Shiite figures.

Meanwhile, Mohammed al-Shammari, lawmaker of the Services bloc (Tahaluf Khadamat), told Al-Sabah newspaper that the announcement of the cabinet would proceed as scheduled. 

He indicated that the prime minister-designate is finalising the government formation process, with agreements reached on most portfolios and approximately 40% still under discussion.

Al-Shammari noted that remaining disagreements are limited and that most political obstacles—particularly within the Coordination Framework—have been largely resolved. He emphasised the presence of political will to overcome outstanding issues and described the role of a “constructive opposition” in parliament as positive in scrutinising candidates.

He added that parliament retains the authority to raise objections to certain nominees, explaining that the prime minister-designate may present multiple candidates for some ministries to broaden selection and ensure qualified appointments.

On 27 April 2026, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi formally tasked Ali al-Zaidi, nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc, with forming the new government during a ceremony at Baghdad Palace. The event was attended by Speaker al-Halbousi, Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan, and several leaders of the Coordination Framework.



PUKMEDIA