Iraq’s New PM Sworn In With Partial Cabinet Amid Deadlock Over Key Posts

May 15, 2026

Baghdad: Ali al-Zaidi was officially sworn in as Iraq’s new Prime Minister on Thursday along with a partial Cabinet after lawmakers failed to reach consensus on several crucial ministerial positions, including the defence and interior ministries.

The Iraqi parliament approved 14 Cabinet ministers during a session chaired by Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi. According to a parliamentary statement, 266 lawmakers voted in favour of the approved ministers.

Among the confirmed appointments were Fuad Hussein, who retained his role as foreign minister, Basim Mohammed Khudair as oil minister, and Faleh al-Sari as finance minister.

Key Security Ministries Still Pending

Voting on several major ministries, including defence and interior, was postponed as political parties continued negotiations over power-sharing arrangements and candidate selections.

Following the parliamentary approval, al-Zaidi and the 14 ministers took the constitutional oath before lawmakers.

Under Iraq’s constitution, a prime minister-designate must secure parliamentary approval for both the Cabinet and the government programme before officially assuming office.

Power-Sharing System Shapes Government Formation

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi nominated al-Zaidi on April 27 as the candidate of the Coordination Framework, the country’s largest parliamentary bloc dominated by Shiite political parties.

Iraq’s political system follows a post-2003 power-sharing formula in which the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurd, the parliamentary speakership by a Sunni Muslim, and the prime ministership by a Shiite Muslim.

The Iraqi constitution gives a prime minister-designate 30 days to present a Cabinet to parliament for a confidence vote.

Trump Congratulates Iraq’s New Prime Minister

Earlier this month, Donald Trump congratulated al-Zaidi on his nomination, expressing hope for stronger relations between Iraq and the United States.

In a social media message, Trump said he hoped the new government would help address security concerns and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“We look forward to a strong, vibrant, and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United States,” Trump said.

The formation of the new Iraqi government comes amid ongoing political negotiations and regional security challenges facing the country.