Iraqi PM Moves to Complete Cabinet and Consolidate Ministries to Cut Spending

Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi is holding talks with political leaders to finalize the remaining cabinet positions and introduce a structural overhaul aimed at curbing public expenditures by merging several ministries and independent bodies.

According to an informed source, the proposal includes merging various religious endowment authorities and the Hajj and Umrah Commission into a unified "Ministry of Religious Affairs," with potential consolidations affecting other ministries as well. During discussions, Al-Zaidi signaled that he might independently select candidates if political factions fail to secure parliamentary backing for their nominees.

The discussions also touched upon proposed amendments to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law and state weapon control policies, as the administration seeks to fill nine vacant ministerial posts left unresolved since the government's partial approval last May.