Latest news with #AdministrativeStructureLaw
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq's CF pushes post-Eid legislative overhaul
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Coordination Framework (CF) is preparing a legislative package to amend key laws immediately after the Eid al-Adha recess, a political source confirmed on Wednesday. One proposal involves revising the electoral law to allocate 80% of party list votes to lead candidates and 20% to others—an adjustment the CF, a governed alliance of predominantly Shiite political parties in Iraq, claims would enhance political cohesion and limit vote dispersion, particularly in Baghdad. The source stressed, however, that the change is procedural and will not disrupt the electoral commission's preparations for the November vote. To advance the agenda, CF leaders have instructed their lawmakers to coordinate with other blocs to secure quorum and fast-track debate on the amendments. The initiative follows months of debate among Iraqi factions and pressure from senior figures critical of the current electoral framework. MP Raad al-Maliki submitted earlier a parallel draft that proposes treating each province as a single electoral district—except Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul, which would be split in two—and limiting party lists to the number of seats available in each district to curb over-nomination. The bill also suggests lowering Iraq's modified Sainte-Laguë divisor from 1.7 to 1.5 to improve representation for smaller parties and enhance electoral competitiveness. To mitigate conflicts of interest, the proposed changes include an automatic resignation clause for sitting lawmakers seeking local office and for governors or provincial council members running for Parliament. Separately, the bloc plans to revisit Iraq's oil and gas law to reinforce federal authority and ensure more equitable revenue distribution across provinces, in addition to pursuing revisions to the Administrative Structure Law, although specifics remain unclear.
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Sulaimani Forum 2025: Iraqi PM confirms Syria's al-Sharaa's Arab summit attendance
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani outlined, on Wednesday, key steps to restructure Iraq's security forces, redefine the role of international troops, and advance economic reforms. Speaking at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, al-Sudani confirmed his government's commitment to implementing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Administrative Structure Law, stating that the legislation defines the PMF's legal and operational framework and aims to fully integrate the force within Iraq's official security apparatus. 'This government has moved to organize the security institutions and ensure weapons are held exclusively by the state,' he declared. On the economic front, the Iraqi PM cited a 128% increase in customs revenues and a decline in annual inflation to 2.7%, describing the reforms as 'structural and necessary,' centered on revamping the banking system, encouraging private-sector growth, and attracting foreign investment. 'We are working to break the cycle of corruption and poor resource management.' Addressing relations with foreign powers, Al-Sudani urged a review of Iraq's cooperation with the US Global Coalition against ISIS, stressing that foreign forces now serve only in advisory capacities. 'Iraq today is not the Iraq of 2014,' he asserted, calling for a new structure that aligns with current realities. He also confirmed that Syrian Transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa will attend the upcoming Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17, stating, 'An official invitation has been extended.'
Shafaq News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Faleh Al-Fayyad: Iraq to pass new PMF Law as part of force restructuring
Shafaq News/ The head of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Faleh Al-Fayyad, announced on Thursday that the Iraqi Parliament will soon pass the Administrative Structure Law. Speaking at a ceremony honoring PMF officers, Al-Fayyad praised the law, describing it as 'a new step toward rebuilding the PMF along updated frameworks that strengthen the authority's presence and establish it as a disciplined and accountable institution.' He further revealed that the draft law currently under review in Parliament includes the creation of a dedicated PMF Academy. 'This academy is expected to consist of military and technical colleges, as well as departments for leadership, strategic studies, and the humanities.' Al-Fayyad's remarks come amid ongoing parliamentary debate surrounding two separate PMF-related laws that have faced repeated delays due to internal political disputes and unresolved leadership issues. The first draft law, known as the PMF Administrative Structure Law, outlines the legal framework governing the PMF's internal operations, personnel duties, and institutional rights. Initially passed as Law No. 40 of 2016, the law includes 17 articles addressing organizational structure, the creation of new directorates, and legal hierarchies. Parliament completed a first reading, and according to sources, a second reading and possible approval are expected soon. The second and more controversial draft, the PMF Service and Retirement Law, contains over 86 articles covering a wide range of personnel rights, including those of PMF martyrs, wounded members, missing individuals, and brigade commanders. The draft has become a political flashpoint due to a contentious provision that sets a mandatory retirement age for PMF commanders. This provision could significantly impact over 4,000 PMF members, including senior leadership figures and, notably, Al-Fayyad himself—a prominent Shiite figure who has already surpassed the legal age for holding a ministerial post. The absence of a clear successor has further fueled the controversy, stalling the bill's progress in Parliament. International concern has also emerged over the legislation. A recent analysis from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy urged the US administration under former President Donald Trump to 'quietly but firmly signal Baghdad that enshrining the militia umbrella group as a de facto Iraqi IRGC would pose an unacceptable threat to U.S. interests.' In his speech, Al-Fayyad rejected such claims, stating, 'Our enemies have attempted to depict the PMF as a rogue or separate force, but that is simply not true. We are an official entity operating under the authority of the Commander-in-Chief (PM Mohammed Shia al-Sudani).'
