The Iraqi Parliament is set to vote on the federal budget tables soon, as final preparations are underway. Finance Minister Taif Sami is under pressure due to delays, and there will be no new public sector appointments or wage increases. Additionally, the PMF law may be revisited in the coming parliamentary session. Calls for Parliament’s dissolution are dismissed, as the current term continues until January 10, 2026.
The Iraqi Parliament is poised to vote on the federal budget tables within the forthcoming days, as disclosed by an Iraqi lawmaker. Ibtisam Al-Hilali indicated that the government is finalizing these tables for imminent submission. She noted that to maintain efficiency, Parliament will vote without delay, underscoring that Iraq has a three-year budget for streamlined financial planning, while the current political climate necessitates annual votes instead.
Furthermore, Finance Minister Taif Sami is experiencing pressure concerning the budget’s delayed arrival. Al-Hilali added that the minister has affirmed the tables are on their way to the Prime Minister. A failure to secure timely approval could lead to continued government expenditures at merely 1/12 of the preceding budget.
Amid considerations that political factions might exploit job creation promises ahead of elections, Al-Hilali clarified that the current budget excludes new appointments or wage increments, despite the processing of 150,000 contract positions for various provinces. She warned of potential election-related misinformation that could mislead the public.
Additionally, there is a possibility that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Service and Retirement law may reappear on the parliamentary agenda after being withdrawn last week. Al-Hilali anticipates that discussions on this issue will occur in the next parliamentary session, likely scheduled for the upcoming week.
Despite requests for Parliament’s dissolution due to repeated delays in sessions, Al-Hilali stated that this is impossible, confirming that the current term will conclude on January 10, 2026. Reports suggest that the Shiite Coordination Framework is negotiating amendments to the PMF law, while further discussions with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani are forthcoming.
Lastly, uncertainty persists regarding whether the budget tables have been officially transferred from the Ministry of Finance to the Council of Ministers. Hussain Mouanes, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, indicated that there has been no official verification of this transfer as of last Sunday.
In summary, the Iraqi Parliament is preparing to address the federal budget tables soon, emphasizing the urgency of timely voting. While the Finance Minister faces scrutiny regarding delays, no new public sector appointments or wage increases are anticipated, in line with efforts to prevent political exploitation of employment promises. The possibility of reintroducing the PMF law remains, amid ongoing negotiations, though the uncertainty regarding budget table transfers highlights the political complexities ahead.
Original Source: shafaq.com
