By Ibrahim Saleh
BAGHDAD (AA) – Adil Abdul-Mahdi was sworn in as Iraq’s new prime minister late Wednesday after parliament approved most of his proposed cabinet lineup.
Only 14 of Abdul-Mahdi’s 22 cabinet nominees, however, were granted confidence by a majority of lawmakers during the session.
Nominees approved during Wednesday’s voting session — which went on past midnight — include candidates for the petroleum, finance, foreign affairs and labor portfolios.
Parliament will convene again on Nov. 6 when MPs will vote on the eight remaining nominees.
Sources close to the government-formation process told Anadolu Agency that certain political blocs were pressuring Abdul-Mahdi — who enjoys the support of influential Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani — for more representation in the incoming cabinet.
Earlier this month, Barham Salih, Iraq’s newly-elected president, tasked Abdul-Mahdi with drawing up a new government.
Abdul-Mahdi served as Iraq’s petroleum minister from 2014 to 2016.
