"Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been sworn in with only a partial cabinet after lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on key postings, including interior and defence. The prime minister and other ministers who secured parliamentary confidence took the constitutional oath of office on Thursday, according to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), formally assuming their duties."
"The Council of Representatives votes to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and its ministerial programme, the prime minister's media office said. In Iraq, a government wins a confidence vote when parliament approves half plus one of its ministries. Al-Zaidi's government should include 23 ministers, but its lineup remains incomplete as key political parties continue to negotiate several portfolios."
"Parliament approved 14 ministers during the session, but failed to reach consensus on several remaining posts, including the interior and defence portfolios. Basim Mohammed was appointed as the country's new oil minister while Fuad Hussein was kept on as the foreign minister in the new government, lawmakers told the Reuters news agency."
"Al-Zaidi presented his government programme during the parliament session which was not broadcast live but has yet to announce it publicly. Al-Zaidi, Iraq's youngest prime minister at the age of 40, was chosen to form the new government on April 27 after President Nizar Amedi named him prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a government. He will face major challenges, including disarming Iran-backed militias, tackling entrenched corruption, and balancing ties between Washington and Tehran."
Ali al-Zaidi was sworn in as Iraq’s prime minister after lawmakers granted confidence to his government and ministerial programme. Ministers who received parliamentary confidence took the constitutional oath and formally assumed their duties. Iraq’s system requires parliament to approve at least half plus one of the ministries for a government to win confidence. The government is intended to include 23 ministers, but the lineup remains incomplete because political parties continue negotiations over key portfolios. Parliament approved 14 ministers, while consensus was not reached on remaining posts, including interior and defence. Basim Mohammed became oil minister and Fuad Hussein remained foreign minister. Al-Zaidi’s government programme was presented in parliament but not broadcast live and has not been publicly announced. He was selected to form the government after a prolonged deadlock and faces major challenges including disarming Iran-backed militias, addressing corruption, and balancing relations between Washington and Tehran.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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