Iraqi Parliament Seeks Review of Previous Government's Decisions and Contracts

An Iraqi parliament member said an official letter has been sent to Prime Minister Ali Zeydi calling for a review of the previous government’s decisions and contracts, with a request to cancel measures taken after the transition to a government in charge of day-to-day affairs. The move is based on relevant provisions of the constitution and a ruling by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court. The lawmaker said the former government adopted numerous decisions during that period with financial, political, economic and social consequences. Among the measures cited were levies imposed on mobile companies under the name of a “service fee” and higher customs duties on imported goods. The letter urges that the decisions and agreements signed in that period be reconsidered and annulled. No further details were provided on which contracts or decisions would be subject to review. The issue adds another institutional dispute over actions taken during the previous government’s tenure and could affect state revenues, trade costs and private-sector obligations if the requests are acted upon.