Physical Altercations Erupt in Iraqi Parliament During Cabinet Confidence Vote
Lawmakers came to blows in the Iraqi Parliament on Friday as the chamber grappled with approving Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government formation, with disputes over ministerial appointments triggering the physical confrontations.
The parliamentary session devolved into chaos centered on disagreements regarding confidence votes for several cabinet candidates, leading the Parliament Presidency to halt proceedings temporarily. The body managed to vote on 14 of 23 ministerial positions before the disruption.
Parliament ultimately granted confidence to al-Zaidi's government and approved his ministerial slate, retaining Fuad Hussein as Foreign Minister. The chamber voted by majority to confirm Bassem Muhammad Khudair as Oil Minister, while unanimously supporting Faleh Al-Sari's appointment as Finance Minister.
Nine ministerial positions face postponed votes until after Eid al-Adha celebrations. Parliament rejected nominees for the Planning, Culture, Construction, Education, and Interior portfolios, necessitating the delay in scheduling further confirmation votes.
A total of 266 deputies participated in the voting session, according to the Iraqi News Agency. Following their confirmation, Prime Minister al-Zaidi and the newly approved ministers took their constitutional oaths, formally commencing their tenures.
The following cabinet members secured parliamentary confidence:
- Bassem Muhammad Khudair (Oil)
- Mohamed Nouri Ahmed (Industry)
- Ali Saad Wahib (Electricity)
- Abdul Hussein Aziz (Health)
- Sarwa Abdel Wahed (Environment)
- Abdul Rahim Jassim (Agriculture)
- Muthanna Ali Mahdi (Water Resources)
- Mustafa Nizar Jumaa (Trade)
- Khaled Shawani (Justice)
- Abdul Karim Abtan (Education)
- Wahb Salman Mohammed (Transport)
- Faleh Al-Sari (Finance)
- Fouad Hussein (Foreign Affairs)
- Mustafa Jabbar Sanad (Communications)
