Iraqi parliament to resume second legislative session on July 1

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi parliament is set to begin the second legislative session on July 1 after its summer recess, lawmaker Dhia al-Siddiq of the Najaf parliamentary group said. Speaking about the agenda, al-Siddiq said a vote on cabinet ministers is expected in the second or third week of July, following the opening session. He added that more than 100 draft laws have accumulated in parliament, with some at the reading and discussion stage and others pending amendments or final votes. Among the bills slated for review are a petroleum and gas law, a Popular Mobilization Forces law, a Federal Court law, a Federal Service Council law, a retirement law and a salary scale law. First Deputy Speaker Adnan Finjan confirmed that legislative work is continuing on several delayed bills, including the petroleum and gas law, the Popular Mobilization Forces law and a federal civil service law. The petroleum and gas law remains one of the most contested files because of disputes over the management of natural resources and the distribution of revenues among the federal government, the Kurdistan Region and oil-producing cities.