Iraqi parliament confirms Mustafa Al Kadhimi as new Prime Minister

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - The Iraqi Parliament voted on Wednesday night to approve the government of Mustafa Al Kadhimi, ending weeks of political deadlock.

Over 250 politicians attended the session in Baghdad and passed 15 ministers and rejected five, among them the ministries of trade, justice, culture, agriculture and migration.

The ministries of oil and foreign affairs also remain vacant pending further

"My cabinet has earned parliament’s support and we will work to earn the trust and support of the Iraqi people. I am grateful to those who worked with us to form the government," Mr Al Kadhimi said on Twitter following the news.

"I urge all political actors to come together around a national program to serve Iraq's interests," he said.

During his address to Parliament he vowed to hold transparent and early elections, to restrict access to weapons and to curb corruption.

"This is a government that will provide a solution. Not add to the crises," he said.

"This government has come as a response to the social, political and economic crisis our country is facing," Mr Al Kadhimi said.

Lawmakers voted for Juma Anad, current land forces commander for the position of Defense Minister and Othman Al Ghanmi, the chief of staff for the armed forces to become the Interior Minister.

Ali Allawi, historian and politician, was voted to become the Finance Minister.

Prior to the start of the session Mr Al Kadhimi said that he secured “the best candidates for each portfolio, who are able to create consensus and work together to benefit all Iraqis,” he said on Twitter.

Several members of parliament representing the oil rich city of Basra boycotted the session.

They claim that Mr Al Kadhimi’s Cabinet “does not represent them” as their request to take up the positions of oil and transport ministries was turned down.

Lawmakers said their city contributes to "95 per cent of government revenues" but they have no real cabinet representation.

Some Kurdish lawmakers also boycotted the session.

“It seems that he doesn’t understand Kurdish politics,” Sarkwat Shams, one of the Kurdish politicians who left the meeting said.

“Kadhimi has no idea what he is doing, we met him and felt he has no real strategy to tackle the current issues,” Mr Shams told The National.

Martin Huth, the European Union’s ambassador to Iraq, said he is following the session with “great interest”.

"We wish all the best for Iraq - sovereignty, prosperity, stability and progress.”

For nearly six months, Iraqi politicians have wrangled over the shape of their new government.

President Barham Salih proposed Mr Al Kadhimi, a former intelligence chief who does not belong to any political party, for the position in early April.

He is the third nominee in 10 weeks to try to form a government as the country struggles to replace outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who resigned last November after months of deadly street protests.

Mr Al Kadhimi’s proposed government had reasonable prospects of securing approval after weeks of political negotiations.

However, the interests of the country's ruling political blocs have stood in the way of several of Mr Al Kadhimi's nominated candidates, with no names yet agreed for the position of oil, foreign and finance ministers.

Pro-Iranian parliamentary blocs withdrew their support for Mr Al Kadhimi a fortnight ago after they reversed their initial position of no-objection towards his appointment and chosen cabinet ministers.

Mr Al Kadhimi indicated at the end of April that he is facing serious difficulties in forming his cabinet. He urged the political blocs to unite and put their differences aside.

Mr Al Kadhimi said the government he is trying to form “has to be up to the crisis” and that he rejects “any pressure aimed at undermining the state”.

Wednesday's session was the first to be held since the country imposed a nationwide curfew to contain the spreading of the disease.

Politicians were urged to wear masks and gloves and will be checked when entering the building.

Parliamentary seating has been arranged in accordance with social distancing regulations, with a seat space between each politician.