Latest news with #al-Maliki
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq: Candidate disqualifications for elections could reach 400
Shafaq News — Baghdad The number of excluded parliamentary candidates, including those barred under Iraq's de-Baathification process, could reach 400, lawmaker Raed al-Maliki said on Wednesday. Speaking to Shafaq News, al-Maliki attributed the surge to the first-time enforcement of Article 7(3) of the amended 2018 Election Law — which prohibits those convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, financial or administrative corruption, or reputational damage, even if pardoned — and to a stricter application of Accountability and Justice Commission measures after years of 'relative lenience.' So far, more than 150 candidates have been disqualified. The Commission removed 55 candidates in Nineveh and 10 in Dhi Qar, while additional lists from Baghdad and Diyala include dozens more. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) continues to receive disqualification lists from verification bodies, which form the basis for its rulings.
Shafaq News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
'Unprecedented' fiscal gap: Iraq's debt exceeds $130B
Shafaq News/ Iraq's public debt has surpassed $130B, as the government faces a widening fiscal deficit and delays in finalizing the 2025 federal budget, a lawmaker cautioned on Thursday. MP Raed al-Maliki stated that the Ministry of Finance has yet to prepare budget schedules due to the Central Bank's refusal to authorize further borrowing. 'Revenues can't even cover salaries, and the fiscal gap is unprecedented,' al-Maliki noted after a meeting with Finance Minister Taif Sami. He criticized the government's recent endorsement of the second phase of the 'Beautiful Baghdad' beautification project—estimated at $122M—arguing the funds should instead address contractor arre ars and suspended infrastructure works. 'The government is spending billions on cosmetic ventures while essential infrastructure remains stalled and funded through borrowing,' he remarked. 'This mirrors the 2016 liquidity crisis, and history risks repeating itself.' The lawmaker further accused the administration of confiscating employee benefit allocations, delaying promotions and raises, and liquidating public assets—such as residential properties in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone—to cover operating expenses.'Parliament's silence is enabling poor governance and deepening the burden on Iraq's economy,' al-Maliki concluded. 'The financial crisis is real.'
Shafaq News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
No division: Al-Maliki appeals for Arab solidarity ahead of Baghdad Summit
Shafaq News/ As Baghdad prepares to host the 34th Arab League Summit, Nouri al-Maliki, leader of Iraq's State of Law Coalition, called on Arab nations, on Wednesday, to set aside divisions and pursue collective solutions to regional challenges. In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, al-Maliki said Iraq's repeated selection as summit host reflects 'its active engagement in regional affairs and its reliability as a partner in addressing shared concerns,' emphasizing that holding the summit in Baghdad on May 17 is not just symbolic but underscores Iraq's readiness to assume a leadership role in promoting Arab cooperation. 'These challenges require an effective forum where Arab leaders can gather in their second home—Iraq—to jointly respond to ongoing developments.' He also urged participating nations to prioritize collective interests over political rifts. 'We hope our Arab brothers will show solidarity and address the region's demands without being drawn into division.' To translate summit discussions into concrete results, al-Maliki proposed forming ministerial-level committees focused on foreign affairs, reconstruction, and economic development. 'We want this summit to be effective and successful,' he stressed. 'And to lay the foundation for greater coordination and integration in the face of threats that affect us all.'
Iraqi News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Al-Maliki: Holding the Arab Summit in Baghdad is Evidence of Iraq's Commitment to its Role
Baghdad-INA The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, confirmed on Wednesday that holding the Arab Summit in Baghdad is evidence of Iraq's commitment to its role and obligations. He expressed his hope for Arab countries' solidarity in confronting challenges, avoiding problems and disputes. In a speech on the occasion of the Arab Summit in Baghdad, which was followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Maliki said, "Holding the Arab Summit in Baghdad once again proves that Iraq is a true and genuine partner with Arab leaders in confronting challenges." He added, "Holding the Arab Summit in Baghdad is evidence of Iraq's commitment to its role and obligations." He added, "The Arab world is experiencing internal and external challenges, as it is an essential and vital part of the region and the world." He noted that "the challenges facing the region require such a summit, in which Arab leaders meet in their second homeland, Iraq, to confront developments and challenges." He continued, "Iraq's hosting of the Arab Summit more than once proves that Iraq wants to contribute to addressing and interacting with the nation's affairs," expressing his hope that "the Arab countries participating in the summit will show solidarity in order to confront challenges, avoiding problems and disagreements." "We hope that our Arab leaders will pay attention to the demands that will be presented at the Arab Summit. Meetings of the ministers of foreign affairs, reconstruction, and economy must be held so that the summit can bear its significant fruits, which shape the wills of the countries." Al-Maliki said. He concluded, "We hope that the summit will be successful and effective, establishing a stage of communication and integration to confront the challenges facing all."
Shafaq News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi MP: Parliament echoes Saddam-era assembly
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Independent Iraqi lawmaker Raed al-Maliki launched a sharp critique of the current parliamentary session, comparing it to the defunct National Assembly under Saddam Hussein's regime before 2003. In a statement, al-Maliki accused the current parliament of disrupting sessions and failing to pass more than 40 draft laws that were ready for voting, adding that dozens of other proposed legislations had only gone through first readings, with seven scheduled ministerial interrogations yet to be conducted. 'Speaker [Mahmoud al-Mashhadani] told me that the lack of consensus among Coordination Framework factions on certain laws has stalled the holding of sessions,' al-Maliki said, claiming that under the State Administration Coalition's ruling, the Council of Representatives 'had come to resemble the National Assembly of the former Revolutionary Command Council era.' Al-Maliki also denounced the government's influence over the legislature, alleging that it had found allies within the chamber who were 'keen to ride along with [Prime Minister] al-Sudani's bandwagon — one that seems to have room for many.' On Monday, the Council of Representatives failed to convene due to a lack of quorum — a recurring issue in recent months. Parliament officially entered its legislative recess on Friday, marking the end of the first term in its fourth legislative year. The recess is expected to extend until the national elections, scheduled for November 11. As Iraq nears the end of its fifth parliamentary term, the Council has held only 51% of its scheduled sessions based on its internal rules. Lawmakers and observers say this has weakened both the legislative and oversight functions of the body.
