Parliament awaiting cabinet lineup to set confidence vote, Halbousi says

BAGHDAD — Parliament is waiting for Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi to complete his cabinet lineup before setting a date for a confidence vote, Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi said Saturday.

Halbousi made the remarks during a meeting with State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, stressing “the importance of expediting the formation of the government” and calling for a cabinet program that responds to “service and economic priorities.”

Zaidi was nominated Monday by the Coordination Framework following the withdrawal of both Maliki and incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. He has 30 days to form a cabinet, draft a government program and secure approval from an absolute majority of parliament’s 329 members. Political blocs are holding ongoing meetings to agree on ministerial allocations within the constitutional deadline.