Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s confirmation as prime minister on 6 May means Baghdad can start to address its massive governance and economic challenges, with haemorrhaging oil export receipts top of a bulging in-tray. The cabinet held its first meeting on 9 May, but the government’s formation was still unfinished by late May. While 15 of the cabinet posts have been approved by the Council of Representatives, several still lack permanent appointees, including major portfolios such as oil, foreign affairs, justice, agriculture and trade – as the main political factions have bickered over departmental allocations.
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