At a Glance

• Iraq’s parliament is convening today to vote on nine vacant ministerial portfolios.
• MPs are also expected to consider three proposed additions to the cabinet structure.
• The session agenda includes votes on candidates for Deputy Prime Minister posts.
• Lawmakers had not received the list of ministerial candidates as of Wednesday night.

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Iraqi parliament is convening today to vote on nine vacant ministerial portfolios, proposed changes to the cabinet structure, and candidates for Deputy Prime Minister posts.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Parliamentary process: "MPs had not received the list of candidate names by Wednesday night." - MP Dilan Ghafoor for Channel8
• Cabinet restructuring: The plans include separating the Ministry of Tourism from the Ministry of Culture, establishing a Ministry of Digital Technology focused on artificial intelligence and government digitalization, and creating a Ministry of State for Minority Affairs, also referred to as Components.
• Deputy Prime Ministers: Parliament is expected to vote on nominees representing several political parties and blocs.

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Iraqi lawmakers are scheduled to vote on nine vacant ministerial portfolios during Thursday’s parliamentary session, according to the Council of Representatives’ agenda.

The positions have recently been managed in an acting capacity. The ministries listed for a vote are Planning, Housing and Construction, Labor, Interior, Youth and Sports, Higher Education, Defense, Culture and Tourism, and Migration and Displaced.

The session is also expected to address proposed changes to the structure of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s government.

Deputy Prime Minister Nominees

Parliament is also expected to vote on candidates for Deputy Prime Minister positions. The nominees listed are Laith Khazali, Mohsen al-Mandalawi, Mohammed Tamim, and Faris Brefkani.

Khazali is the brother of Qais Khazali, secretary-general of Asaib Ahl al-Haq. Al-Mandalawi heads the Iraqi Asas Coalition, while Tamim is a senior figure in the Takadum Party and a former planning minister. Brefkani represents the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister al-Zaidi sent an official letter to Parliament Speaker Heibat al-Halbousi proposing Thursday, October 15, as the date for the session.

FYI

The Council of Representatives is Iraq’s federal legislative body, responsible for approving legislation and exercising oversight over the government. Parliamentary approval is required for ministerial appointments under Iraq’s constitutional framework.

The proposed cabinet changes would expand and reorganize government responsibilities, while the ministerial votes concern portfolios that remain vacant or are being administered on an acting basis.

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