Zaidi vows to resist personal demands in cabinet formation as blocs jostle for ministries

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi said he “will not respond to any personal demand” in forming his government, as negotiations over ministerial allocations intensified in his first week following designation.

In his first official remarks, Zaidi said he aims to form “a government of a strong and solid economy.” After meeting Kurdish leaders during a visit to the Kurdistan Region, he expressed optimism, saying he had received support from Erbil. Observers say his pace of engagement has been faster than expected, with some attributing it to his youth and others to strong domestic and international backing. If progress continues, he could complete cabinet formation before the end-of-May deadline to present it to parliament.

Negotiations have focused heavily on ministerial distribution. Based on early demands, Shiite groups alone could seek up to 20 ministries, with similar numbers expected for Sunni and Kurdish blocs under established power-sharing norms. The Badr Organization, holding around 20 seats, has indicated it seeks two ministries and 20 senior positions. The State of Law Coalition and Asaib Ahl al-Haq together may pursue six ministries, the Hikma Movement two, and the bloc led by outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, holding 46 seats, is aiming for at least five.

Proposed distributions include the Education Ministry going to a Shiite minister, Higher Education to a Sunni, the Foreign Ministry remaining with the KDP, Oil going to Sudani’s bloc and Finance to Asaib Ahl al-Haq. Proposals also include appointing four deputy prime ministers — two for the Shiite component and one each for Sunni and Kurdish components — reviving a practice abolished about a decade ago.

Zaidi’s designation has drawn strong international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support in a phone call and on Truth Social, calling for a government “free of terrorism.” The U.S. position has been accompanied by messages urging the exclusion of armed factions and politically affiliated groups with military wings from sovereign ministries. Zaidi became the first Iraqi prime minister-designate invited to visit Washington before forming a government.