Iraqi PM, deputy parliament speaker stress need to implement budget articles

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Muhsin al-Mandalawi on Friday stressed the need to expedite the implementation of certain articles of the country’s budget which relate to carrying out strategic projects and ones that serve the Iraqi people.

Iraq passed its highly contentious federal budget bill for the years of 2023, 2024, and 2025 in June, which included a record $152 billion in spending.

The premier and the deputy speaker highlighted the need to focus on legislating laws and carrying out projects that serve the interests of the people, boost the economy, and create job opportunities for the youth, according to a statement from Mandalawi’s office.

“The two sides stressed the significance of effective coordination between the legislative and executive authorities, with the goal of expediting the legislation of solid laws of interest to the citizens and meeting all their requirements,” the statement added.

Iraq did not have an approved budget for 2022, and spent the first six months of 2023 without passing the bill either.

The failure to pass a budget bill last year was due to the political uncertainty that shrouded the countryafter the 2021 election. The lack of a budget jeopardized the oil-dependent economy with Baghdad prevented from taking advantage of soaring oil prices following Russia's invasion of Ukraine to combat poverty and bring much-needed economic stability.

Iraq’s Finance Minister Taif Sami said in March that the new budget will prioritize developmental projects and the country’s less fortunate groups.