Four deputy PMs may be unpaid, but what powers will they hold, Shabandar asks

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s assurance that his four proposed deputies would receive no salaries or financial benefits leaves open what constitutional powers they would hold, politician Izzat al-Shabandar said ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary vote.

“To avoid embarrassment and in consideration of the difficult circumstances Iraq is currently facing, the prime minister has confirmed that his four deputies will receive no salaries, financial allocations or staff,” Shabandar wrote on X. “However, he has not clarified whether they will be deputies with specific constitutional powers or without powers. The difference is substantial, and the reason is serious.”

Parliament scheduled Thursday’s session to vote on nominees for deputy prime minister, the vacant ministries and newly proposed ministries, about an hour after Zaidi formally requested it. It confirmed 14 of 23 ministers when it approved Zaidi’s government on May 14, leaving nine portfolios unfilled. Zaidi told Coordination Framework leaders on Aug. 31 that nominees for the remaining posts would go to parliament the following week.

Hussein al-Shihani, a member of the political bureau of Sadiqoun, Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s political wing, said on Monday that the four deputies would have equal authority, with no first deputy, and would oversee government projects, with Laith al-Khazali, Asaib’s candidate and a U.S.-designated terrorist, responsible for public services rather than security. He said on Sunday that Zaidi had tried during his New York visit to soften U.S. objections to Khazali. “Al-Zaidi himself does not claim to be skilled in politics, services or managing ministries, but he has capabilities in financial and economic management, and everyone knows that,” Shihani said. “Al-Zaidi feels, and the political spectrum feels, that he needs deputies.”

The Services Alliance, associated with Kataib al-Imam Ali leader Shibl al-Zaidi, said on Tuesday that it had given up its claim to a deputy prime minister post in exchange for a new ministry for digital transformation.