Iraq’s parliament approves government of new PM Kadhimi

A new Iraqi government has been finally formed after months of deadlock and a political crisis that hit the country’s stability and economy. The majority of ministers proposed by Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi were approved by parliament, thus allowing the formation of a new government only days before his 30-day deadline to form a government.

Out of a total 329 members of the parliament, 266 attended the session late May 6, which was followed by a long discussion and negotiation between the prime minister and the head of parliamentary blocs.

Kadhimi was serving as director of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service when he was designated by Iraqi President Barham Salih on April 9 to be prime minister. The previous two nominees, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and Adnan al-Zurfi, were unable to form a government.

The parliament voted on the prime minister’s program and approved about two-thirds of the Cabinet — including those up for the key ministries of interior, defense, finance and electricity. Kadhimi will present new names to parliament at a later date in subsitution for Cabinet nominees who were rejected.