Iraqi PM Zaidi holds talks as cabinet deadlock leaves nine posts unfilled
Political disputes caused parliament to fail to agree on a number of ministerial nominees, including those of defense and the interior.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi held talks with prominent Shiite cleric Ammar al-Hakim on Tuesday in an effort to form a government, as nine ministerial posts remain unfilled amid political disagreements.
What happened: Zaidi met with Hakim, the leader of the Hikmah Movement, as part of consultations over the cabinet. In a statement, the prime minister’s office said the two spoke about “the need for concerted efforts by political forces to complete the government formation.”
Hakim is a key figure in the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite-led parties that forms the largest bloc in parliament. The framework nominated Zaidi for the premiership earlier this month and parliament approved him as prime minister on May 14.
Parliament approved 14 ministers out of Zaidi’s 23-member cabinet last week, leaving nine positions unfilled. The posts for ministers of the interior, higher education, planning, defense, labor, youth, migration, culture, and reconstruction and housing were either not voted on or had their nominees rejected by parliament.
