Iraq PM al-Zaydi's first 100 days marked by oil, water and corruption pressures

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaydi, who took office on May 14, 2026, faced a series of heavy policy files in his first 100 days, including oil exports, salary payments, the consolidation of arms under state control, anti-corruption measures and a water crisis. His cabinet secured parliamentary confidence for 14 of 23 ministries, leaving nine portfolios vacant, most notably Interior, Defense and Planning. Shortly after the confidence vote, the government approved its 2026–2029 program, which sets out 139 priorities across 14 sectors along with 13 core regulations. On the oil file, MP Adiy al-Zamla said the export mechanism remains unstable as shipments come under pressure from US-Iran tensions and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, making the sector the largest economic strain on the administration. On water policy, Prime Ministry water adviser Turhan al-Mufti said a framework agreement and project financing understanding reached with Turkey would enter into force in September 2026, adding that summer 2026 water conditions were three to four times better than the previous year. On corruption, the government launched legal and oversight steps targeting political and senior administrative figures on June 28, 2026, while setting September 30, 2026 as the deadline for consolidating arms under state control.