Al-Zaidi warns framework forces of unmet commitments, urges finalization of ministerial nominations and discusses 2027 budget draft

A well-informed political source disclosed on Tuesday the behind-the-scenes details of the Coordination Framework leaders' meeting held Monday evening in the presence of Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi.

The source said, "Al-Zaidi warned some forces within the framework, particularly those with armed wings, against failing to carry out their obligations, and stressed adherence to the agreed-upon timetable/arrangements for handing over weapons."

He added that "Al-Zaidi stressed the need to resolve disputes over agreeing on nominees for the vacant ministerial portfolios and to complete voting on them as soon as possible to begin a new phase in state-building, especially the ministries of the Sunni component — specifically the disagreement over the Ministry of Culture and its affiliation to one of the components of the (National Political Council). That central issue will be discussed at today's State Administration meeting."

The source indicated that the finance minister briefed leaders of the Shiite House on the details of the 2027 budget draft and the mechanism for addressing some spending lines and transfers between them in a way that covers the priorities of the government program and meets citizens' needs, adding that "a list of proposed amendments to some key budget items has been prepared, to be supported by parliamentary backing in order to shorten effort and time."

The source said the budget draft included allocations for job grades for graduates not exceeding 100,000 positions, but some at the meeting demanded doubling the allocations, which became a point of contention among the gathered leaders: some opposed the increase while others called to raise the ceiling to more than 400,000 positions to include the largest number of graduates.

The Coordination Framework said in a statement that the regular meeting, numbered 298 and held at the office of the head of the National Basis Alliance Mohsen Al-Mandlawi and attended by Prime Minister Al-Zaidi, discussed a range of important national issues and files that directly affect citizens' living and service conditions.

The meeting hosted Finance Minister Faleh Sari, during which the country's financial and economic affairs and the government's service plan were reviewed and discussed.

The statement noted that the framework did not address approval of the annual financial budget nor the completion of the ministerial cabinet's formation, despite more than six months having passed since the current government, headed by Ali Al-Zaidi, was mandated.

Approval of the federal budget is of utmost importance for the work of ministries and government institutions, while completing the government formation is linked to the ability of the government and the Council of Representatives to carry out legislative, oversight, and executive tasks.