Baghdad: Legal expert and consultant, Salem Hawas, announced that the Iraqi government has entered the caretaker phase following the launch of the electoral process this morning. He confirmed that the constitutional and legal mandates of both the House of Representatives and the federal government have expired with the end of the electoral term.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Hawas stated in a press release that the Iraqi Constitution and the Council of Ministers' internal regulations define the circumstances under which the term 'caretaker government' applies. He highlighted that there are three primary scenarios in which this is the case.

The first scenario occurs when the House of Representatives is dissolved, as stipulated in Article (64/Second) of the Constitution. In this case, the government is considered resigned and continues to handle daily administrative affairs until new elections are held and a new government is formed.

The second scenario arises when a vote of no confidence is passed against the government under Article (62/Eighth/D). Here, the government, including the Prime Minister and ministers, is considered resigned but continues to conduct daily business for no more than thirty days until a new government is formed.

The third scenario applies when the government resigns or its electoral term ends. In such instances, constitutional jurisprudence deems the government resigned, entering the caretaker phase until a new cabinet officially assumes office.

Hawas concluded his statement by emphasizing that during this phase, the government's powers are limited to managing the state's daily affairs without making major strategic or legislative decisions. This is in adherence to the principle of the peaceful transfer of power and in respect for the provisions of the Constitution and the law.