Iraqi lawmaker says decision on new ministries in al-Zeydi cabinet not yet finalized

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A lawmaker with the Coordination Framework said reports that Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi's cabinet would be expanded to include new ministries of tourism and governance have not been finalized, with consultations between political forces and relevant institutions still under way. Muhtar al-Mawlawi, a member of parliament from the Coordination Framework, said no definitive decision has emerged from the bloc or from the prime minister's office on creating the two ministries. He added that any step toward establishing them must be grounded in professional and practical considerations aimed at improving institutional efficiency and public services. Al-Mawlawi noted that administrative, financial and legal feasibility studies are continuing, and that a clearer picture could emerge by the middle of next week once the current round of talks between political groups and the prime minister's team is completed. The al-Ali al-Zeydi government has operated with an incomplete cabinet for more than a month. The Iraqi Parliament granted confidence to a 14-ministry lineup on May 14, while the vote on the remaining nine ministerial portfolios was postponed until after the Eid al-Adha holiday. No further details were immediately available on the timeline for completing the cabinet.