Iraqi Kurdistan Cabinet finally sees daylight after 9 months
The new prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government has a Cabinet now, with all but one ministerial position filled.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani presented his new Cabinet July 10, vowing to institute reforms and reinvigorate the semi-autonomous government in Erbil, Iraq.
Three main parties in Iraqi Kurdistan were able to reach an understanding on their ministerial nominations to finally form the new government: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Gorran (Change) movement. Parliament now has confirmed 21 ministers for the Cabinet, though the controversial post of the natural resources minister remains vacant.
In his inauguration speech, Barzani said that his cabinet’s top priority will be providing services to the people, combating corruption, carrying out reforms, and developing relations with Baghdad.
The omission of that key position is due to disagreements between KRG President Nechirvan Barzani, who insists on Ashti Hawrami remaining in the post, while Masrour Barzani insists on appointing someone of his own choosing. Nechirvan Barzani did not attend the parliament session, an apparent protest against the new Cabinet. The Barzanis are cousins.
