Iraq’s parliament approves new Ali al-Zaidi government

PM sworn in and 14 ​ministers approved ⁠in new government though parliament fails to reach consensus on several posts.Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been ⁠sworn in with only a partial cabinet ⁠after lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on key postings, including interior and defence.The prime minister and other ministers who secured parliamentary confidence took the constitutional oath of office on Thursday, according to the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), formally assuming their duties.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Who is Ali al-Zaidi, the businessman named as Iraq’s PM-designate?list 2 of 3A secret Israeli base in Iraq? What we knowlist 3 of 3Why Trump decided to back Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidiend of list“The Council of Representatives votes to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and its ministerial programme,” the prime minister’s media office said.In Iraq, a government wins a confidence vote when parliament approves half plus one of its ministries.Al-Zaidi’s government should include 23 ministers, but its lineup remains incomplete as key political parties continue to negotiate several portfolios.Parliament ⁠approved 14 ministers during the session, but failed to reach consensus on several remaining posts, ⁠including the interior and defence portfolios.Basim Mohammed was ‌appointed as the country’s new oil minister while Fuad Hussein was kept on as the foreign minister in the new government, lawmakers told the Reuters news agency.Al-Zaidi presented his government programme during the parliament session – which was not broadcast live – but has yet to announce it publicly.Youngest prime ministerAl-Zaidi, Iraq’s youngest prime minister at the age of 40, was chosen to form the new government on April 27 after President Nizar Amedi named him prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a government.