On May 1, the Iraqi Parliament voted confidence in the new government led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Prime Minister and the approved ministers were sworn in on the same day.
Al-Zaidi’s government was expected to include 23 ministers, but only 14 were approved by Parliament in this session. The remaining positions, including the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense, have yet to reach consensus among political factions.
Among the approved ministers, Basim Mohammed was appointed as the new Oil Minister, while Fuad Hussein retained his position as Foreign Minister.
Ali al-Zaidi, 40, is the youngest prime minister in Iraq's history. He was tasked by President Nizar Amedi to form a government on April 27, ending a prolonged political deadlock.
Before becoming Prime Minister, al-Zaidi had no political or public administrative experience. A graduate in law and finance, he worked as a lawyer and university lecturer. Analysts say his clean political record is his greatest asset in a deeply polarized Iraq.
He faces major challenges, including disarming Iran-backed militia groups, fighting corruption, and balancing relations between Washington and Tehran.
Al-Zaidi’s selection as Prime Minister broke months of standoff in Iraq. Previously, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a close ally of Iran, was the ruling coalition’s candidate but faced fierce opposition from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened to halt all support for Iraq if al-Maliki became premier.
