Channel8 has uncovered key details regarding the status of negotiations between Iraqi political blocs concerning the formation of the new government and the allocation of ministerial portfolios. This information highlights the ongoing process of distributing cabinet seats among the involved parties.

Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has 21 days remaining to present his cabinet before the May 27 constitutional deadline.

Al-Zaidi Near Cabinet Consensus; Key Ministries Pending

Information obtained by Channel8 indicates that al-Zaidi’s negotiations with political blocs are progressing toward a consensus, with a vote on his cabinet likely to take place in the Council of Representatives next week.

While the majority of cabinet positions have been finalized, the appointments of ministers for Oil, Interior, and Finance remain pending.

Internal deliberations within the Shiite Coordination Framework have yet to reach a consensus on the allocation of these three critical sovereign ministries.

Oil Ministry Dispute Between al-Sudani and al-Maliki

The Ministry of Oil remains the primary point of contention between Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition and Nouri al-Maliki of the State of Law Coalition, as both leaders vie for control of the portfolio.

While al-Sudani possesses sufficient points to secure the ministry, al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition—holding only 14 seats—currently falls short of the 15 to 16 points required to claim a sovereign ministry like Oil or Interior.

Al-Zaidi Calls for Three Candidates per Ministry

According to Channel8 sources, al-Zaidi has requested that political parties nominate three candidates for each ministerial post, from which he will select the most qualified individual for parliamentary approval.

The proposed cabinet structure will consist of 22 ministries, allocated as 12 for Shia blocs, 6 for Sunni parties, and 4 for Kurdish representatives.

Kurdish Ministries Divided Between PUK and KDP

The four Kurdish ministries will be divided between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), with the latter expected to retain the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and another portfolio.

Fuad Hussein is expected to transition to the position of Deputy Prime Minister rather than remaining as Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As part of a strategic understanding, the PUK is expected to cede one of its two cabinet positions to the New Generation Movement, with the Ministry of Environment identified as the most likely portfolio to be handed over.

Coordination Framework Proposes Four Deputy Prime Ministers

The Coordination Framework has proposed an expansion of the executive branch to include four Deputy Prime Ministers, though discussions remain open to maintaining only three. Under the four-deputy model, the positions would be distributed as two for the Shia, one for the Sunnis, and one for the Kurds; otherwise, each component would receive a single representative.

Sources indicate that Mohsen al-Mandalawi of the Sadiqoun Bloc and Fuad Hussein are already slated to occupy these deputy premierships.

Presidency to Include Two Vice Presidents

In a move to restore political balance, the presidency will now include two Vice Presidents, with the Taqaddum Party and the State of Law Coalition each securing a post. Taqaddum has submitted Wasfi al-Assi, Faleh al-Zaidani, and Mohammed Tamim as its nominees, while State of Law has fielded al-Maliki for the position.

Furthermore, Channel8 has identified several key ministerial allocations: Defense to the Azm Alliance, Foreign Affairs and Construction and Housing to the KDP, Justice and Environment to the PUK, Transportation and Communications to the Badr Organization, and Labor and Social Affairs to the Sadiqoun bloc.