Iraq's Federal Court dismisses challenge to PM-designate Ali al-Zaydi's appointment

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Court has rejected a lawsuit filed by former lawmaker Raid al-Malki challenging the appointment of Ali Faleh al-Zaydi as prime minister, ruling unanimously that the presidential decree No. 20 of 2026 is constitutional. The ruling was issued at a hearing presided over by Judge Munzir Ibrahim Hussein. The court dismissed the case under Article 88 of the amended Code of Civil Procedure No. 83 of 1969, ordering the plaintiff, al-Malki, to pay the legal fee and 150,000 Iraqi dinars in attorney fees to the defendant's representative. The decision is final and binding under Article 94 of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, according to the court. In his petition, al-Malki had argued that al-Zaydi did not meet the candidacy requirements, cited a conflict of interest, and alleged procedural flaws in the appointment process. Ghazi Ibrahim al-Janaybi, head of legal advisers representing the presidency, called for the case to be rejected. The ruling clears a key legal hurdle for al-Zaydi's path to forming a government. No further details on the next steps in the cabinet-formation process were immediately available.