Ali Al-Zaidi Wins Parliamentary Confidence as Iraqi MPs Approve Government Programme and Cabinet

Iraqi parliament media office

Iraqi parliament hall.

The Iraqi Parliament, during its 24th session held on Thursday and chaired by Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, with the attendance of 266 MPs, voted to approve the ministerial programme and granted confidence to the government of Ali al-Zaidi and his 14 ministers.

At the beginning of the session, the Speaker invited members to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in honour of Iraq’s martyrs.

Ali al-Zaidi then presented his government’s programme, stressing its commitment to meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people and placing citizens’ interests at the centre of its priorities. He said the path to reform must begin internally through tackling corruption and administrative inefficiency. Al-Zaidi stated that his government would confront challenges by relying on the resilience and capabilities of the Iraqi people, turning crises into opportunities and obstacles into milestones for change, with the aim of improving public services, building strong institutions, and advancing Iraq towards good governance and e-government.

He outlined a three-track plan for his administration. The first focuses on economic reform and development through diversifying the economy, encouraging genuine investment, and establishing a sound financial and banking system. The second centres on social development by promoting social justice, supporting vulnerable groups, protecting children, and empowering women. The third track concerns security sector reform, including ensuring that weapons remain solely in the hands of the state, strengthening the security forces, and reinforcing public confidence in democracy.

Al-Zaidi said Iraq’s ancient civilisation, as well as its human and cultural diversity and the authority of the supreme religious leadership, placed the country in a strong position to restore the standing of the state. He also called on diplomatic missions to resume their work in Baghdad and expressed his appreciation to the government of Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

Parliament later voted on the ministerial programme after incorporating amendments requested by the Speaker and proposed by the parliamentary committee reviewing the programme.

The Council approved the appointments of Basim Muhammad Khudair as Minister of Oil, Muhammad Nouri as Minister of Industry, Ali Saad Wahib as Minister of Electricity, Abdul Hussein Aziz Ahmed as Minister of Health, Srwa Abdul Wahid as Minister of Environment, Abdul Rahim Jassim Muhammad Al-Shammari as Minister of Agriculture, Muthanna Ali Mahdi as Minister of Water Resources and Marshes, Mustafa Nizar Jumaa as Minister of Trade, Khalid Shwani as Minister of Justice, Abdul Karim Abtan as Minister of Education, Wahab Salman Muhammad as Minister of Transport, Falih Al-Sari as Minister of Finance, Fuad Hussein as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mustafa Jabbar Sanad as Minister of Communications and Media.

During the same session, Parliament did not approve the nominations of Ahmed Nazim Najm for the Ministry of Planning, Amer Hassan Hashoush for Higher Education, Qasim Atta for the Interior Ministry, Rebaz Muhammad for Construction and Housing, and Ibrahim Al-Namas for the Ministry of Culture.

At the conclusion of the session, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his cabinet ministers took the constitutional oath before Parliament, after which the session was adjourned.


PUKMEDIA