Ali al-Zidi obtained the confidence of the House of Representatives, along with the first batch of ministers, while the passage of the remaining nine ministries was postponed due to a dispute over some of the candidates and to give the political parties time to negotiate about them.
Baghdad – Al-Quds Al-Arabi: The Iraqi political scene is witnessing relative calm as Eid al-Adha approaches, with hopes for the resumption of the marathon to select the second batch of ministers and grant them parliamentary confidence, as well as the Iraqi judiciary's ruling on the appeal concerning the validity of Ali al-Zaidi's appointment as Prime Minister. The Federal Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority in Iraq, has set July 1st as the date for the first session to consider the lawsuit challenging the validity of Ali al-Zaidi's appointment as Prime Minister.
Former MP Raed al-Maliki, who filed the lawsuit, stated in a press release that he "received official notification via email containing the date of the session, along with a copy of the response submitted by the President's representative regarding the lawsuit."
Al-Maliki explained that "the response included several legal arguments, most notably the argument that the plaintiff lacks a direct interest in filing the lawsuit, in addition to the argument that the dispute is not directed against the President, on the grounds that the appointment was based on the nomination of the largest parliamentary bloc, and not on a unilateral decision by the President."
The defense memorandum also included a reference to the prime minister-designate's "sufficient political experience qualifying him for the position," citing his "extensive political connections, as well as his ownership of Dijlah TV, a satellite channel that covers political affairs and public issues."
According to the statement, the Vice President emphasized that "whoever assumes a high-ranking executive position must relinquish any private interests that could create a conflict of interest after taking office, otherwise they will be subject to legal accountability."
For his part, Maliki stressed his "continued pursuit of the case and attendance at all its sessions," affirming that he "will submit a new written response containing a detailed legal rebuttal to the Vice President's arguments."
He pointed out that "the lawsuit challenging the decree appointing the prime minister differs from personal or private lawsuits because it pertains to public affairs and the constitutional order of the state," expressing his "hope that the case will not be dismissed on the grounds of the absence of a direct personal interest."
In mid-May, Ali al-Zaidi, the candidate of the Coordination Framework tasked by the President with forming the government, received the confidence of Parliament, along with the first batch of 14 ministers. The approval of the remaining nine ministries was postponed due to political disagreements over some of the nominees and to allow political parties more time to negotiate.
According to Uday Abdul-Hadi, a member of the Coordination Framework, "The Framework's forces agreed to approve the remaining ministerial portfolios for Ali al-Zaidi's government in a single parliamentary session after the Eid al-Adha holiday, with the possibility of changes to some of the proposed names, particularly in the security ministries."
Abdul-Hadi told local news outlets that "the Coordination Framework held a series of meetings in its last session, which contributed to resolving several issues and reaching agreements on the remaining ministerial portfolios." He explained that "the most important point of agreement was to finalize the remaining portfolios in a single parliamentary session after the Eid al-Adha holiday without delay."
He added that "proceeding in this direction is to ensure the government's ability to perform its duties," noting that "changing some of the names of candidates for the remaining portfolios, especially security ones, is very likely, but the alternative names have not yet been determined."
He indicated that "the meetings held during the past 72 hours contributed to resolving many issues, and there is significant convergence between the parties," expecting that "the cabinet of al-Zaydi's government will be fully completed within 48 to 72 hours after the Eid al-Adha holiday."
Abdul-Hadi's statements came in the wake of the decision by the Shiite "Coordination Framework" to proceed with completing the cabinet after the Eid al-Adha holiday.
The Framework's media office stated in a press release that the Framework held an important and urgent meeting at the office of Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the Badr Organization, in the presence of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, to "discuss the developments of the political phase and the upcoming requirements."
The meeting began, according to the statement, by "congratulating the Prime Minister on receiving the confidence of the Council of Representatives, wishing him success in carrying out his national duties and serving the Iraqi people."
The attendees also emphasized "the unity and cohesion of the Coordination Framework and its commitment to continuing joint work to enhance political stability and safeguard the country's higher interests."
The attendees expressed "their appreciation for the efforts exerted by Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani during his tenure as Prime Minister, and for the service and executive efforts witnessed during the past period, which garnered widespread public appreciation."
The Coordination Framework decided to proceed with "completing the cabinet after the Eid holiday, in accordance with constitutional procedures and national understandings," according to the statement.
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, revealed the existence of new political understandings within the Coordination Framework to include the same names in the cabinet that failed to receive parliamentary confidence in a previous session.
He added that "the recent meeting of the Coordination Framework put things back on track," after what he described as "the deliberate violation of political agreements during the confidence vote session by the Speaker of Parliament, which led to a clear political dispute and prompted the State of Law Coalition to file appeals with the Federal Court regarding the illegality of some of the session's provisions."
Meanwhile, Shiite cleric Jawad al-Khalisi criticized foreign interference in the formation of Iraqi governments, considering this approach similar to what is happening in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
In his Friday sermon in Baghdad, al-Khalisi expressed his concern "about the blatant foreign interference in government formation," noting that "prime ministers are being dismissed and replaced according to foreign dictates, without the people knowing anything about the orientations of the leaders imposed upon them, and without having any role in this selection."
He emphasized that "this approach is no different in essence from what is happening in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and other Muslim countries."
