Iraq's Coordination Framework sets new timeline to fill vacant ministries

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Coordination Framework moved to accelerate government formation at its 292nd regular session held Monday in Baghdad, hosted by Prime Minister Ali Zeydi and Badr Organization Secretary-General Hadi al-Amiri. The group said nominees for vacant ministerial portfolios would be finalized within the week and submitted to the Iraqi parliament for approval the following week. The session also reviewed Iraq's fiscal and economic conditions in light of the wider regional conflict and disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Legislative items discussed included the general budget bill and a draft law on the Popular Mobilization Forces. Firas al-Muslawi, spokesperson for the Construction and Development Bloc, said the Framework's weekly meeting would focus first on selecting candidates for the vacant ministries. No further details on the nominees or the timing of the parliamentary vote were immediately available.