Iraq weighs reshuffle of Azm coalition ministries after leader's arrest

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi political sources said discussions are under way to withdraw one of two cabinet seats allocated to the Azm Coalition following the arrest of its leader, Muthenna al-Sammerai, on financial corruption charges. Under a post-election agreement, the coalition was to receive the Planning Ministry and the Culture Ministry, according to the sources. The sources said the Planning portfolio is expected to remain with Azm, while the Culture Ministry could be transferred to the al-Jamahir Party led by Abu Mazen. An Azm official, Ammar al-Azzavi, said the coalition would defend the electoral mandate reflected in its vote share and insist on retaining both seats, describing the pledges of political blocs as the basis of its political work. Al-Sammerai's Azm Coalition finished sixth among competing lists in the most recent parliamentary elections, receiving more than 127,000 votes. The coalition had argued that its cabinet share should consist of two to three ministries. Al-Sammerai was detained by security forces in June 2026 in Baghdad's Green Zone. No further details on the proposed reshuffle were immediately available.