Latest news with #ProvincialCouncilsLaw
Shafaq News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Karawi returns to Diyala council post, faces resistance
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Diyala Provincial Council Chairman Omar Al-Karawi confirmed his return to office to resume duties, following a ruling by the Administrative Court overturning his dismissal. Al-Karawi stated in a press conference that the council's current focus is on oversight and legislative functions, in accordance with the Provincial Councils Law. 'The doors are open for dialogue,' he said, noting that absenteeism is a failure to honor the trust of voters. Al-Karawi also clarified that the current composition of the council was based on prior political agreements reached in Baghdad, and that the distribution of positions within the province followed those understandings. The Administrative Court ruled on Monday to suspend the procedures for Al-Karawi's dismissal and reinstate him as head of Diyala Provincial Council, according to official court documents. However, nine council members voiced in a press conference strong opposition to Al-Karawi's reinstatement. Turki Al-Atabi, the head of the council's Integrity Committee, affirmed that the court ruling ran 'counter to the will of the majority,' emphasizing that 12 members—more than two-thirds of the council—had voted to remove Al-Karawi in March. The statement accused the former chairman of 'administrative misconduct and manipulating council decisions for personal benefit,' arguing that his dismissal was essential to prevent institutional deadlock and to ensure the council could continue performing its legislative duties. Calling on the Supreme Judicial Council to review the ruling, the members argued that the dismissal was legally sound and conducted in full compliance with the amended Provincial Councils Law No. 21 of 2008. Al-Atabi emphasized that 'upholding the council's decision is vital to preserving its integrity and serving the public interest in Diyala.'
Iraqi News
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
The General Coordinator announces that the Governorates Law will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers
Baghdad-INA The General Coordinator for Provincial Affairs, Ahmed Al-Fatlawi, announced on Saturday that the Provincial Councils Law will soon be presented to the Council of Ministers. While highlighting the advantages of the new Provincial Councils Law, he confirmed that it is in advanced stages. Al-Fatlawi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The experience of transferring powers between ministries and governorates, which began in 2015, still faces implementation challenges." He added, "The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Public Municipalities has effectively and practically transferred most of its powers, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has also transferred its powers, with the exception of the Welfare and Social Protection Commissions. Meanwhile, a Federal Court recently issued a decision regarding the transfer of powers to the Ministry of Agriculture, which was implemented in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commission. In addition, the powers of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and some of the powers of the Ministry of Finance have been transferred." He explained that "the main problem lies in determining the ceiling on what remains with the ministry and what is transferred to the governorates, and the extent to which the parties adhere to this distribution." Regarding the new provincial councils law, Al-Fatlawi indicated that "the law is about to be presented to the Council of Ministers before being referred to the House of Representatives," stressing that "the law has reached advanced stages." He continued, "The new law priorates clearer, more detailed rules regulating the relationship between the executive, legislative, and oversight bodies in the governorates. It aims to achieve better administrative stability by establishing controls for oversight mechanisms and the relationship between the executive and legislative branches." He pointed out that "the new provincial councils law will address the issues between the governorates and the federal government, whether related to the House of Representatives or the Prime Ministry," noting that "the legal text, when implemented, may be subject to different interpretations. This will require a role for the State Council in interpreting some provisions, in addition to the role of the Federal and Administrative Courts in resolving disputes. This will gradually contribute to the maturation of the experience and the stabilization of the rules."
Shafaq News
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Baghdad Council ousts Chairman Al-Qaisi
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Baghdad Provincial Council voted to remove its chairman, Ammar Al-Qaisi, after a session in which a majority of members expressed dissatisfaction with his responses during a no-confidence hearing. The council first held a vote on whether Al-Qaisi's responses—submitted in absentia—were sufficient, according to a source. A majority then proceeded to approve Al-Qaisi's removal from office following the vote, officially ending his tenure as chairman of the Baghdad ProvincialCouncil. In the days leading up to his dismissal, reports indicated that Sunni political forces had reached a consensus to nominate Ammar Al-Hamdani as Al-Qaisi's successor. Notably, Al-Qaisi, a member of the Azm Alliance, was elected as the council's chairman in February 2024. He made efforts to reform the Provincial Councils Law to grant higher powers to local councils to prevent 'central interference' and promote sustainable development, emphasizing the necessity of 'developing administrative decentralization to address economic and societal challenges in Iraq.'
