Conflict over Iraqi federal government moves to provincial councils
The dispute between Iraqi parliamentary blocs over ministerial portfolios has surfaced over the posts of the provinces' governors.
BAGHDAD — As the Iraqi parliament witnesses significant political disputes over ministerial portfolios between the Building Coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri, and the Reform and Construction Coalition led by Muqtada al-Sadr and Ammar al-Hakim, another set of disputes has surfaced over the posts of governors of Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Wasit and Babylon.
The mandate of the current provincial councils — constitutionally tasked with choosing a governor — ended in April 2017, and the provincial elections have been postponed repeatedly. In other words, these councils are currently illegal.
