Iraqi PM Will Not Contest Upcoming Elections, Government Spokesman Says

INA

Iraqi government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi.

Iraqi government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi confirmed on Sunday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has decided not to contest the upcoming elections and has no intention of establishing a political party.

Speaking at a press conference, al-Aboudi said the cabinet would be completed during the first half of July, ahead of the Prime Minister's planned visit to Washington.

He noted that al-Zaidi's visit to the United States, scheduled for mid-July, would focus on several key issues, particularly economic cooperation and the government's efforts to restrict weapons to state control and disarm armed groups operating outside official institutions.

Al-Aboudi said recent changes within the security sector should not be viewed as punitive measures or a response to negligence, but rather as part of a broader government strategy aimed at strengthening state institutions.

He added that Prime Minister al-Zaidi considers corruption to be the greatest threat facing Iraq and its political system. According to al-Aboudi, all contracts signed during the previous period will undergo review and auditing, while a number of stalled projects will be suspended, including some that have already received more than half of their allocated funding, due to irregularities involving contracting companies.

"The fight against corruption will continue and will target all those accused, regardless of their position," he said.

Al-Aboudi also stressed that Iraq does not intend to rely on external borrowing, describing the country as financially capable of addressing its challenges through available domestic resources.

"Iraq is not a poor country, and the government has many solutions. There are clear signs of economic recovery," he said.

He revealed that preparations for the 2027 federal budget are underway and that the budget bill is expected to be submitted to the Council of Representatives by October in accordance with established procedures.

The spokesperson further stated that the government continues to provide full guarantees to oil companies operating in Iraq, including those working in the Kurdistan Region, noting that this is linked to ensuring the payment of public-sector salaries in the Region.

Al-Aboudi concluded by saying that the energy sector remains one of the government's top priorities and that Prime Minister al-Zaidi has directed all relevant institutions to provide the resources necessary to support its development.



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