Ali al-Zaidi Cabinet Wins Parliamentary Confidence; KDP Candidate Rebaz Hamlan Fails to Secure Ministry

Peregraf — Iraq’s parliament on Thursday granted confidence to the cabinet of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, allowing the new government to officially assume office despite several ministerial nominees failing to secure enough votes.

According to parliamentary results, Zaidi and 14 ministers received approval, surpassing the required “50+1” threshold needed for the government to pass.

However, four ministerial candidates failed to gain parliamentary confidence, including Rebaz Hamlan, the Kurdistan Democratic Party nominee for the Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction.

Kurdish Candidates Approved

Three Kurdish candidates successfully secured parliamentary approval: 

* Fuad Hussein (KDP) — Minister of Foreign Affairs

* Khalid Shwani (PUK) — Minister of Justice

* Srwa Abdulwahid (New Generation) — Minister of Environment

Ministries Still Unresolved 

The nominees for the following ministries failed to receive enough votes:

* Interior (The ministry was not voted on due to tensions inside parliament, and the vote was postponed)

* Culture

* Planning

* Higher Education

* Housing and Reconstruction

Parliament is expected to revisit the unresolved portfolios in future sessions.

Government Formation After Deadlock 

The vote concludes weeks of political negotiations and internal disputes within Iraq’s ruling Coordination Framework coalition.

Zaidi had submitted his ministerial program to parliament last week after being nominated following prolonged political deadlock over the premiership.