Iraq PM delivers cabinet nominees to parliament speaker

BAGHDAD - Agence France-Presse

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi speaks at a news conference during his visit to Najaf, south of Baghdad, in this file photo taken October 20, 2014 - Reuters photo

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has delivered a list of ministerial candidates to parliament, speaker Salim al-Juburi said on April 12.
 
"We received the names from Mr. Prime Minister with their resumes, and MPs can vote to reject or accept the names that will be presented," said a post on Juburi's official Twitter account.
 
It was not immediately clear how many of the candidates on that list were originally selected by the premier himself compared with those nominated by the political blocs.
 
Abadi has called for "fundamental" change to the cabinet so that it includes "professional and technocratic figures and academics", and presented a list of nominees to parliament last week.
 
But powerful Iraqi parties and politicians rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds, and lawmakers have said the political blocs are nominating other candidates.
 
This may perpetuate the system of party-affiliated ministers, which would be a blow to the premier's agenda and reputation.