TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The new Prime Minister of Iraq, Ali al-Zaidi, officially began his term on Saturday, May 16, 2026, in an inauguration ceremony in Baghdad. According to the Saudi Gazette citing the official Iraqi news agency, Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Zaidi replaced former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani after his government secured the parliament's approval in early May.
The inauguration marks the beginning of a new government in Iraq amidst ongoing political negotiations to complete the cabinet lineup. Earlier on May 14, 2026, the Iraqi parliament granted a vote of confidence to al-Zaidi and his 14 cabinet ministers, while the vote on nine other positions was postponed due to a lack of political consensus.
According to Al Jazeera, al-Zaidi and the ministers who have obtained the parliament's approval took the constitutional oath and officially assumed their governmental duties. In a statement, the prime minister's media office said, "The Council of Representatives votes to grant confidence to the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi and its ministerial programme."
Incomplete Cabinet
Al-Zaidi's government was supposed to consist of 23 ministries. However, the cabinet composition is still incomplete as political parties have not reached an agreement on several strategic positions, including the ministries of interior and defense.
In the Iraqi political system, a government is considered legitimate if the parliament approves more than half of the proposed ministries. The parliament's session last week approved 14 ministers but failed to reach a consensus on the remaining positions.
Iraqi parliament members appointed Basim Mohammed as the new oil minister. Meanwhile, Fuad Hussein remains as the foreign minister in the new government.
Al-Zaidi has also presented his government program in a non-televised parliamentary session. However, the contents of the program have not been announced to the public yet.
Youthful Prime Minister of Iraq
Ali al-Zaidi is noted as the youngest prime minister of Iraq at the age of 40. Iraq's President, Nizar Amidi, appointed al-Zaidi as the prime minister on April 27, 2026, after the Coordination Framework Alliance, the largest parliamentary bloc in Iraq, agreed to nominate him.
According to Al Jazeera's report, al-Zaidi's appointment ended months-long political deadlock. In the process, US President Donald Trump was said to have intervened after former two-term prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, emerged as the main candidate of the coalition.
Al-Maliki, known for his close ties with Iran, reportedly faced strong rejection from Trump. The US President warned that all Washington's support for Iraq could be stopped if al-Maliki returned as prime minister.
Unlike his predecessors, al-Zaidi does not have a track record in government or political positions. He was born in Baghdad to a prominent family from Dhi Qar Province and built his career in the academic and private sectors. He holds a bachelor's degree in law and finance, a master's degree in banking and finance, and is a member of the Iraqi Bar Association.
Read: Iraq: Oil Exports to Be Routed Through Syria
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