Baghdad:The Iraqi Council of Representatives has voted to appoint Mohsen Ali Akbar Al-Mandlawi, Laith Hadi Sayyid Al-Khazali, and Mohammed Ali Tamim as Deputy Prime Ministers. This decision was made with the explicit understanding that these officials will not receive salaries or allowances, aligning with the provisions of Article 76 of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister’s directive not to allocate funds for the deputies is part of broader efforts to rationalize government spending and reduce the drain on public funds. Political analyst Nabil al-Azzawi emphasized that these measures are intended to support economic reforms and strengthen public fund management.

Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi stated that the government plans to reduce the number of advisors, as many of their roles will become redundant once the Deputy Prime Ministers begin their duties. This move is part of a strategy to adopt realistic economic approaches amidst the global economic crisis and its impact on Iraq.

Legal researcher Ali Al-Tamimi clarified that the Deputy Prime Minister positions are established by the Council of Ministers’ Rules of Procedure No. 2 of 2019. Although not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, these roles are legitimate and crucial for managing specialized ministerial councils.

Economic expert Ahmed Saddam highlighted the benefits of reducing advisors and eliminating unnecessary job perks, noting that such actions would help curb government spending. This initiative underscores the message that holding a government position is a responsibility, not a means to gain privileges, especially in light of current financial pressures.