Iraq's Federal Supreme Court rules Cabinet can dismiss undersecretaries

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Supreme Court has ruled that the Council of Ministers has the constitutional authority to dismiss undersecretaries found to be underperforming, responding to a request submitted by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the court's media office said. The court also authorized the Cabinet to recommend to the Iraqi Parliament the dismissal of officials holding special ranks. It stressed that the dismissal power is not absolute and must be exercised within the framework of the rule of law and the legal protections afforded to public officials. According to the ruling, the authority must be used in the public interest and must not be turned into a tool to circumvent legal safeguards. The decision also set conditions barring the imposition of unauthorized financial burdens on the state treasury and the creation of dual functions. The decision, issued unanimously on August 24, 2026, as ruling No. 227, addressed a request concerning Articles 80/First and 80/Fifth of the Iraqi Constitution. The court said it is binding and final on all authorities.