Iraq moves to end overlapping authority in ministries with new administrative overhaul

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi government is preparing an administrative overhaul aimed at ending overlapping mandates and competing jurisdictions among several ministries and state institutions, according to officials familiar with the plan. The package would redistribute authority and responsibilities, eliminate multiple decision-making centers and tie each official to a clearly defined area of authority. The changes are also expected to include the replacement of some directors general who have held their posts for more than four years. Future appointments would be guided by criteria of merit, performance and length of service, with the stated goal of bringing new personnel into the administrative structure and reinforcing the principle of accountability for the exercise of authority. Officials cited repeated decision-making overlaps as a source of operational friction and a barrier to assigning clear responsibility when procedures stall. The overhaul is being carried out in parallel with administrative transfer orders already issued against some directors deemed underperforming. In the next phase, certain administrative roles at the provincial level are expected to be reorganized under the same criteria of merit, performance and tenure. No further details were immediately available on the timeline or the ministries affected.