Iraqi parliament to vote on remaining ministerial portfolios Tuesday

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi parliament will hold a session Tuesday to vote on the remaining vacant ministerial portfolios, the legislature’s media office said.

The session will be held Tuesday at 10 am (local time), Baghdad Today website quoted the parliament as saying Monday.

Last month, the parliament approved 14 ministers of Adel Abdul Mahdi’s government, allowing him to become prime minister, but the vital defense and interior portfolios have not been filled yet along with six others.

Lawmakers were planned to vote on the remaining ministers earlier this month but the vote was delayed due to political disagreements over nominees.

The new government will be tasked with rebuilding much of the country after a devastating war against Islamic State and solving acute economic problems, which promoted angry protesters to stage rallies nationwide, particularly in Basra, over power and water shortages.