Sunni blocs publish ministerial nominees submitted to Zaidi for next government

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s main Sunni political blocs have submitted their ministerial nominees to Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi, with the full list published Tuesday by Taqaddum Party media official Adel Faraj.

The Taqaddum bloc, led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, is seeking the ministries of Industry and Education along with a deputy prime minister post. Its Industry nominees are Mohammed Nouri, Abdul Karim Hassan al-Dulaimi and Sinan al-Jumaili. For Education it submitted Miqdam al-Jumaili, Abdul Karim Abtan, Ghazi al-Jubouri and Watban al-Jubouri. For deputy prime minister, Taqaddum proposed Mohammed Tamim, Khalid Battal and Falah Hassan al-Zaidan.

The Sovereignty Alliance, led by Khamis al-Khanjar, submitted Atheer al-Ghariri, Shaalan al-Karim, Abdullah al-Nujaifi, Mustafa Nizar and Farhan Saleh for the Trade Ministry. Hasm proposed Thabit al-Abbasi and Nayef al-Shammari for Defense. Al-Jamahir nominated Mazen al-Jubouri, Tariq al-Jubouri and Badr al-Fahl for Culture, while Azm proposed Muthanna al-Samarrai for Planning.

The announcement follows a statement Sunday from the National Political Council, also known as the Sunni Framework, which said it had submitted its nominees to Zaidi and rejected what it described as outside interference in its ministerial entitlements.

Zaidi submitted his government program to Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi on Thursday. He faces a constitutional deadline at the end of May to present his cabinet for a confidence vote. The Coordination Framework nominated him 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.