Iraq's Council of Ministers has approved a series of administrative decisions aimed at restructuring government operations, including limiting the powers of ministerial councils and granting Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi broader authority over senior government appointments.

Ministerial Councils Limited to Advisory Role

The Iraqi Council of Ministers held its 10th regular session on Saturday, chaired by Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi.

As part of efforts to streamline government operations, the cabinet decided to restrict the powers of all ministerial councils. Under the new directive, the councils will no longer have independent decision-making authority and will instead be limited to submitting recommendations to the Council of Ministers.

2026 Summer Agricultural Plan Approved

The cabinet also approved Iraq's 2026 summer agricultural plan.

The plan covers all Iraqi governorates except those in the Kurdistan Region and is intended to organize the agricultural sector and provide the resources needed for farmers ahead of the upcoming season.

Prime Minister Granted Broader Authority Over Senior Posts

The Council of Ministers approved a rotation plan affecting several provincial health department directors.

It also authorized the prime minister to rotate, transfer, and replace director generals and officials of equivalent rank across government institutions, based on proposals submitted by relevant ministers or heads of independent bodies.

Investment Project Rejected, Reconstruction Exemptions Approved

The cabinet rejected the investment license for the Bisan residential investment project in Nineveh Governorate and will study the possibility of transferring ownership of the project's land to the Ministry of Finance.

At the same time, the Council of Ministers approved regulatory exemptions to facilitate reconstruction projects at several religious shrines in the governorates of Najaf, Karbala, and Diyala.