The Iraqi Parliament is expected to vote on the federal budget tables soon, without new public sector appointments or wage increases. Finance Minister Taif Sami is under pressure for delays, while discussions about the Popular Mobilization Forces law may resume next week. Calls for the dissolution of parliament were dismissed as the current term is set to end on January 10, 2026, amidst ongoing negotiations within the Shiite Coordination Framework.
Iraq’s parliament is anticipated to vote on federal budget tables shortly after they are submitted by the government, as reported by lawmaker Ibtisam Al-Hilali. She emphasized that there will be no new public sector appointments or wage increases in the upcoming budget, which seeks to streamline financial planning through annual approvals instead of a multi-year framework due to current circumstances.
Finance Minister Taif Sami has been under pressure owing to a delay in the budget submission. Al-Hilali mentioned that the minister confirmed the completion of the budget tables, which have been sent to the Prime Minister for approval. If there is further delay, government spending will continue at one-twelfth of the previous budget, potentially hindering financial operations.
Al-Hilali addressed concerns over political parties possibly using employment promises for electoral gain, asserting that the budget will not include new appointments or wage increases as 150,000 contract positions have already been processed. She cautioned against misinformation tied to upcoming elections.
Additionally, the law regarding the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) may be reinstated on the parliamentary agenda after its withdrawal last week. The discussion of this law is expected to take place in the upcoming parliamentary session scheduled for next week.
Despite ongoing calls for parliament’s dissolution due to session delays, Al-Hilali refuted this idea, asserting that the current parliamentary term will conclude on January 10, 2026. Discussions regarding amendments to the PMF law are ongoing between the Shiite Coordination Framework and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani to reduce political tensions and enable legislative functions to continue without obstruction.
There remains uncertainty about whether the budget tables have been officially sent from the Ministry of Finance to the Council of Ministers, with a committee member indicating that no formal confirmation of the transfer has been made thus far.
The Iraqi Parliament is poised to vote on the federal budget tables shortly following their submission by the government, focusing on maintaining a streamlined financial planning approach. Discussions on the PMF law are set to resume, while concerns over political maneuvers surrounding employment promises in a pre-election context have been clearly addressed. As parliament navigates its responsibilities, the continuity of legislative sessions remains crucial amidst pressures and uncertainty regarding budget approvals.
Original Source: shafaq.com
