Parliament prepares chamber for confidence vote in Zaidi government

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s parliament is preparing for a session to vote on the new government headed by Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, with seats arranged inside the parliamentary chamber awaiting Zaidi and his ministerial nominees, the parliament’s media office said Sunday. No official date for the session has been announced.

Zaidi submitted his government program to Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi on Thursday as part of the process leading to a confidence vote. He faces a constitutional deadline at the end of May to present his cabinet to parliament.

The Coordination Framework nominated Zaidi on April 27 following the withdrawal of both State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki and incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani from the race.