Iraqi Parliament Approves 14-Minister Partial Zaidi Cabinet — Iraq's Youngest PM Sworn In

The Iraqi Council of Representatives voted on May 14 to grant confidence to 14 of Ali al-Zaidi's 23 ministerial nominees in a session attended by 238 of 329 members. The vote was carried with 196 in favor, giving Zaidi the majority needed to formally assume power. Key approved portfolios included oil (Hayan Abdul-Ghani, retained from outgoing Sudani government), finance, foreign affairs, justice, electricity, health, education, transport, agriculture, communications, industry, trade, water resources, and environment. Nine portfolios remained unfilled — most critically interior, defense, planning, housing, and culture — as Zaidi deferred their nominations until after the Eid al-Adha holiday to allow continued negotiations with competing Shia factions over the security portfolio distribution. At 40, Zaidi became the youngest prime minister in modern Iraqi history. He was formally sworn in before President Abdul Latif Rashid. Outgoing PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani offered congratulations and pledged a smooth handover. Kurdish and Sunni parties conditionally backed the vote while expressing concern over the deferred defense and interior posts.