The National Bank of Iraq announces the completion of its transition to the new global standard, SWIFT MX.
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The National Bank of Iraq announced the completion of its transition to the new global standard SWIFT MX for financial messages, a step that marked a significant milestone in the bank's technological infrastructure modernization and enhanced readiness for digital transformation.
The bank said in a statement, “The implementation of this transformation comes as part of the bank’s transition from the old MT standard to the MX ISO 20022 model, which is the most advanced, structured and data-rich framework in the global financial messaging sector. The transformation process was carried out across all operational channels with high efficiency and minimal downtime, reflecting the bank’s strong technical readiness, accurate planning, and commitment to providing its services without any significant interruption.”
He pointed out that “this transformation is an advanced step within the strategic roadmap of the National Bank of Iraq to modernize its systems, enhance its compatibility with global best practices, and provide an advanced digital banking experience for its individual and corporate clients.”
The statement quoted Aqeel Ezzedine, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO of the National Bank of Iraq, as saying that “the smooth transition to the MX standard is the result of a robust system of governance, teamwork and careful planning, and represents an important step in modernizing the payments infrastructure and enhancing the reliability and security of banking operations.”
Hani Khalil, head of the transformation department at the National Bank of Iraq, said, according to the statement, that “the completion of this transformation embodies the bank’s commitment to keeping pace with the latest international standards in payment systems, and building a more transparent, integrated and high-quality financial data structure, which enhances customer experience and strengthens the bank’s position within the regional financial system.”
The MX standard enables a more accurate and richer exchange of information in financial messages, with substantial improvements in transaction tracking and identification of parties, supporting global trends towards greater efficiency and transparency in payments.
Since the new system came into effect, the bank has not recorded any significant problems, which confirms the success of the implementation process and the close coordination between the transformation, IT and operations teams, in addition to effective cooperation with partners and regulatory authorities.
A US delegation will visit Baghdad soon, carrying messages from the White House.
An Iraqi diplomatic source revealed on Wednesday that an American delegation is expected to visit Baghdad to deliver messages from the White House administration regarding Iraqi issues.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that "a delegation including American political figures will visit Baghdad soon, carrying messages from Washington to all partners in the political process in Iraq . "
He added that "the anticipated American visit is a confirmation of Washington's interest in what is happening in Iraq ."
The relationship between the United States and Iraq has been experiencing a diplomatic standstill since Donald Trump took office, with communication and meetings limited to the US Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad, Steven Fagin, and a single phone call received by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani from Foreign Minister Marco Rubio.
However, last August a high-level American delegation visited the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, to discuss a number of issues with Iraqi officials.
According to an informed source who spoke to Shafaq News Agency at the time, the delegation discussed the issue of the American withdrawal from its main bases in Iraq and the repercussions of that, in addition to an economic file and another related to energy.
On October 19, US President Donald Trump decided to appoint Mark Savaya as special envoy to Iraq.
Trump wrote on his platform “Truth Social,” as reported by Shafaq News Agency, that “Mark’s deep understanding of the relationship between Iraq and the United States, and his extensive connections in the region, will contribute to advancing the interests of the American people.”
Savaya, an American businessman of Iraqi (Chaldean/Assyrian) descent from Michigan, has risen to prominence in recent years through his support for Trump's election campaign and his activities within Middle Eastern communities in the United States.
The fate of the 2025 budget schedules now rests with the next government.
MP Mudhar al-Karawi confirmed on Wednesday that the fate of the 2025 budget schedules will undoubtedly be decided by the next government following the Federal Court’s decision.
Al-Karawi told Al-Maalouma, “The 2025 budget schedules were expected to arrive in January or February of this year, but they have been delayed, and we are approaching the end of 2025. Consequently, after the Federal Court’s decision to end the fifth parliamentary session, it is no longer possible to resolve this issue, especially since it is linked to the current government, which is now acting in a caretaker capacity and, according to legal procedures, cannot proceed with this matter.”
He added, "The decision on the 2025 budget schedules will, according to the legal framework, be transferred to the next government, which is responsible for making the decision through the Council of Ministers and then submit it to the Parliament for review and scrutiny before final approval."
Al-Karawi pointed out that “the delay in finalizing the budget has had repercussions on ministries, institutions, agencies, and projects, and has created financial difficulties for many state institutions
The Iraqi government confirms: There are no indications yet for the 2026 budget.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed that the three-year budget law still covers all the state’s financial obligations until the end of 2025, indicating that there are no indicators for the 2026 budget yet.
Saleh said in a statement followed by ( IQ) , “The fixed and variable allocations are still in effect and provide full financial cover for projects and public expenditures throughout the period of the law’s validity, and the continuation of the three-year budget gives ministries and government agencies stability in planning and financing without the need for a new budget during the next two years.”
He added, "There are no indications yet of a budget for 2026," explaining that "the timelines set by the amended Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2013 have almost expired, with the exception of some technical cases permitted by the law."
He pointed out that "the Ministry of Finance has not yet started preparing the draft, stressing that the 2026 budget estimates will depend on geopolitical developments, fluctuations in global growth and the economy, and on oil prices, which represent the state's largest resource, suggesting that the 2026 estimates will be close to the 2025 revenues under the current circumstances."
The financial advisor pointed out that the spending priorities in the country are settled, foremost among them being salaries, wages, pensions and social assistance, stressing that the government is doing its utmost to secure these monthly expenses as a safety valve for the Iraqi people .
He said that between eight and nine million citizens receive a salary, wage, pension, or government subsidy directly, and that each of these individuals represents an entire family that depends on these entitlements, noting that a large percentage of Iraqis depend on government revenues directly or indirectly, which makes the commitment to these payments a fundamental and irreversible matter .
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor explained that development projects will be subject to adjustments to suit the financial circumstances, but ongoing projects will continue to receive funding in accordance with the law .
He explained that “if 2026 is entered without a budget, the state will be obligated to spend one-twelfth of the actual expenditures recorded in 2025, based on the applicable Financial Management Law.”
Government advisor: Medium-term financial plan to ensure the sustainability of vital projects
Saleh said in a statement to Al-Furat News: “It is important to adhere to high fiscal discipline without resorting to austerity, while taking into account low-income, poor and vulnerable groups, and working to diversify non-oil public revenues through reforming customs and tax policies, especially on large taxpayers, while ensuring fair and transparent governance.”
He explained that "the government is now seeking to create major investment partnerships with the national and foreign private sector to reduce pressure on public spending and achieve the implementation of income-generating and job-creating investment projects, with a focus on automating the economy and moving towards the digital age."
Saleh stressed that "reforming the energy sector at all levels will boost government revenues as it is a leading sector for development within a coordinated policy for electronic government collection to ensure speed and accuracy of collection."
The economic advisor concluded by emphasizing the need to "adopt a medium-term budget plan that ensures sustainable financing for vital projects, thereby achieving sustainable development and targeted growth in accordance with the National Development Plan 2024-2028 and Iraq Vision 2025."
What lies beyond the two narratives?
Did the Ministry of Finance fail, or did the Central Bank overreact? Learn about the problem of Iraq's debt with these figures.
The issue of public debt has resurfaced following a clear discrepancy between the Ministry of Finance's estimates and the Central Bank's data. This discrepancy has sparked widespread questions and prompted economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi to call for an official clarification and an apology to the public. The crux of the problem began when the Minister of Finance announced that the total external debt, including both active and inactive debt, amounted to $43 billion, while the country's highest monetary authority published a completely different figure of $54.957 billion as of the end of June 2025. The difference between the two figures is not a minor detail and cannot be treated as a simple accounting discrepancy. Rather, it is a gap that reflects a flaw in the methodology of presenting financial data, leaving the public with a direct question: Which side is telling the truth?
In an attempt to gain a deeper understanding, and in a previous interview with Baghdad Today, the Prime Minister's Financial Advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, presented a different perspective that clarifies the structure of the debt more than its size. According to Salih, the so-called external debt actually due does not exceed thirteen billion dollars, and half of this amount is deferred until after 2028. Salih emphasizes that Iraq has never defaulted on any payment, thanks to continuous financial and technical coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, meaning that the state's ability to meet its obligations is not up for debate.
But the real complication lies in the existence of nearly forty billion dollars in debt inherited from the previous regime. This debt, linked to financing the Iran-Iraq War and not used for development, is described in international norms as "odious debt." This debt is effectively frozen, and the current government bears no responsibility for its repayment. Furthermore, it is subject to the 2004 Paris Club agreement, under which eighty percent or more of pre-2003 debt was forgiven. It is therefore understandable that the external debt appears higher in the Central Bank's reports than in the Finance Minister's estimates, as the former deals with internationally recorded debt, while the latter relies solely on actual, repayable debt.
As for the domestic debt, which amounts to 91 trillion dinars, Saleh explains that it is mostly held within the government banking system, with less than half held in the Central Bank's portfolio. He adds that this debt is technically managed in a way that poses no financial threat. He further states that specialized committees have finalized a plan to convert more than 20 trillion dinars of domestic debt into productive investment instruments within a new national debt management program. This program focuses on transforming paper obligations into real economic projects that generate growth and reduce the burden on public finances.
Economic data indicates that the ratio of total debt to GDP does not exceed thirty percent, which is half of the safe global standard of sixty percent. Iraq has cash reserves at the Central Bank that exceed one hundred billion dollars, which is sufficient to cover the external debt many times over. This means that talk about the risks of debt is not based on an economic basis, but rather appears more often in political and electoral contexts than in an objective financial context.
According to observers, the final picture clearly shows that the problem lies not in the size of the debt, but in the government's contradictory statements about it. Between the Ministry of Finance's figures, which calculate the actual debt that can be repaid, and the Central Bank's figures, which record the total debt, including frozen and odious loans, a gap emerges in the financial terminology that needs to be readjusted and unified. This discrepancy is what prompted Al-Marsoumi's warning, and it necessitates that the relevant authorities disclose the accounting basis for each figure, standardize the reporting methodology, and provide an explanation that dispels the growing public doubts.
Former PM Maliki to visit Erbil for gov't formation talks
The New Region has learned that head of the State of Law Coalition Nouri al-Maliki is set to visit Erbil to discuss the formation of the next Iraqi cabinet with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Former Iraqi Prime Minister and head of the State of Law Coalition Nouri al-Maliki is set to visit Erbil on Thursday to discuss the formation of the next federal cabinet with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani.
The New Region has learned that Maliki will seek Barzani’s take on what the Kurds’ requests are for the next cabinet.
Iraq's 2025 parliamentary elections saw Maliki's coalition win 29 seats in the legislature, second only to incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Alliance.
The KDP, meanwhile, won 27 seats after surpassing a one-million-vote campaign target, becoming the first Kurdish party to achieve such a feat.
No party won enough seats to earn a parliamentary majority, with inter-party negotiations to form the next Iraqi cabinet being essential as a result.
Maliki, who served as premier between 2006 and 2014, remains a strong force in Iraqi politics, having been a key pillar in the currently ruling Coordination Framework and having presided over multiple episodes of prickly relations between Baghdad and Erbil.
The Kurdistan Region’s financial disputes with the federal government are ongoing despite the signing of a landmark deal to resume Kurdish oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline in September, which had been halted for 30 months after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled that Ankara had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing the KRG to export oil independently from Baghdad.
Baghdad has also repeatedly and strategically withheld the Region's civil servant salaries as a means of pressuring Erbil.
Barzani has repeatedly called on Baghdad to deal with the Region based on the provisions of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, which Kurdish parties have long argued have yet to be truly implemented.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has repeatedly stated that Erbil demands its full share of the federal budget from Baghdad come 2026.
It has also called for the implementation of Article 140 of the constitution, which is especially pertinent for territories whose sovereignty is disputed between the KRG and the federal government.
Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution mandates a process to outline a clear and definitive boundary in the disputed areas by introducing a referendum to determine the will of the residents living on the lands. The implementation of the article has been continuously delayed by the Iraqi government.
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Iraq’s PM Sudani Joins Majority Bloc in Parliament
Iraq's incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Tuesday he had joined the country's main Shiite alliance, the majority bloc that will nominate the next premier.
The move by Sudani, who is seeking a second term as prime minister, gives the Coordination Framework alliance of Shiite factions an outright majority of 175 seats in the 329-seat chamber.
During a conference in the northern city of Duhok, Sudani said his alliance "the Reconstruction and Development coalition is part of the Coordination Framework, which has decided to form the largest bloc".
He added that seeking a second term "is not about personal ambition, but about fulfilling his responsibility to see through the mission".
During his first term Sudani had pursued policies vowing reconstruction and stability in Iraq.
He added that talks will begin among key parties about naming the new premier, speaker and president.
By convention in Iraq, a Shiite holds the post of prime minister, a Sunni is parliament speaker, and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.
On Monday, the Coordination Framework alliance announced that it had formed the majority bloc, which would ultimately nominate the next prime minister.
Brought to power three years ago by the Framework, Sudani's own list secured 46 seats in the chamber.
Joining the Coordination Framework does not guarantee Sudani a second term.
Long-term powerbrokers within the Coordination Framework worry that he has amassed too much power during his first term, making some reluctant to allow him to keep his seat.
Within the Coordination Framework, whose members have varying ties to Iran, some individual groups also scored well, with some winning more seats than in the previous parliament.
Post-election talks between Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties in Iraq usually last for months, with constitutional deadlines frequently missed.
But as Iraq has recently regained some stability after decades of war, key parties hope to reach a full package deal -- premier, speaker and president -- before the new parliament convenes in January.
Former US Official: American Presence in Iraq is ‘Not Imposed’
Former US official Clarke Cooper stated at MEPS that America's presence in Iraq depends on Baghdad's request, noting US partnership strengthens Kurdistan but also exposes it to threats. The forum concluded with calls for regional peace.
Clarke Cooper, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, affirmed that current American policy toward Iraq and the Kurdistan Region is not imposed, stressing that Washington will continue its presence only if it is explicitly requested by the Iraqi government and people.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, during a panel at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS), Cooper outlined the approach of the current U.S. administration, especially under President Donald Trump. He emphasized that if Iraq seeks foreign investment—particularly in the energy sector—or wishes to maintain security coordination with the United States, Washington is fully prepared to engage. However, he said, if Baghdad or Erbil reject U.S. security cooperation or the continued presence of American forces, “America will accept that decision.”
Cooper added that successive U.S. administrations have maintained security coordination with the Kurdistan Region and that the presence of American forces has significantly benefited and strengthened Erbil. At the same time, he acknowledged that this partnership has also made the Region vulnerable to threats and attacks.
President Masoud Barzani’s participation in the forum, Cooper noted, underscored the Kurdistan Region’s long-standing strategic dialogue with the United States.
The sixth Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS) concluded its three-day sessions on Wednesday.
Hunar Essa, President of the MEPS Forum, officially announced the conclusion of this year’s conference, expressing hope that the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) in Dohuk will host the forum’s seventh edition next year.
Essa highlighted the significance of the forum, praising its successful sessions with the participation of President Masoud Barzani, international delegations, senior officials, academics, and youth. He noted that President Barzani’s engagement and his vision for a “new Middle East” reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to peace as the central objective of the region.
He emphasized that the depth of the forum’s discussions was encouraging, particularly at a time when the Middle East is experiencing profound instability. According to Essa, MEPS serves as a bridge connecting decision-makers, experts, and researchers, while also offering opportunities for academics, students, and young people to develop new ideas. He stressed that MEPS is not merely an academic endeavor, but an influential platform shaping political thinking and future trajectories for Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the wider Middle East.
In closing, Essa expressed appreciation to AUK, the organizers, officials, experts, academics, students, media outlets, and all participants, affirming his hope to welcome them again at MEPS 2027.
The oil and gas law: Kurdish priorities in the Iraqi government formation negotiations.
Following the election results and the announcement of the number of seats won by the Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament, attention is now focused on the Kurds' objectives for the next phase and their future plans.
President Masoud Barzani called for the implementation and enactment of five key laws, most notably amending the election law, implementing Article 140 of the constitution, and enacting the long-stalled oil and gas law, which has been stalled for nearly two decades. He
also reiterated his call for Kurdish political forces and parties to proceed with forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government.
In his address, Barzani stated that after 2003 and the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, a golden opportunity presented itself, and the political process was built upon three principles: balance, consensus, and equality. He added that in 2005, the country's permanent constitution was ratified. Despite some shortcomings, it is considered one of the best constitutions in the region, promising a bright future. This constitution, he emphasized, must be respected as it will usher Iraq into a new era by regulating its relations with regional and international partners.
The passage of the oil and gas law is considered a solution to most of Kurdistan's problems and a crucial step towards resolving outstanding financial issues and unifying oil policies between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region. Among these issues are the deep and persistent disagreements over energy resource management, which have prevented the law's enactment. These disagreements have led to the l
aw's failure to pass. The
unresolved problems between Baghdad and Erbil include issues such as the oil and gas contracts signed by Kurdistan, which have resulted in legal disputes between the Iraqi Ministry of Oil and the regional government. Meanwhile, former Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) MP Gharib Ahmed asserts that most of the outstanding problems between Baghdad and Erbil stem from the lack of an oil and gas law. Speaking to Al-Mada, he emphasized that "passing the law will contribute to resolving the most significant challenges, namely oil exports, the payment of employee salaries, and the economic problems that have plagued Kurdish citizens for years."
He pointed out that "the disagreements between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government have prevented the law's passage and its submission by the federal cabinet for parliamentary approval." The Kurdistan Region experienced a severe financial crisis as a result of the federal Ministry of Finance's withholding of employee salaries, accusing the regional government of failing to remit non-oil revenues and of not fully delivering oil to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). Months ago, the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government reached a historic agreement that allowed the region to resume oil exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
Although the federal government began disbursing salaries to employees in the region, delays persist, with Baghdad and Erbil exchanging accusations regarding who is responsible. Meanwhile , Sabah Hassan, a member of the Kurdistan Parliament from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), indicated that passing the oil and gas law is the solution to the problems between Baghdad and Erbil. In an interview with Al-Mada, Hassan stated, "The solution to the problems between Baghdad and Erbil, and the crisis that recurs monthly, is the passage of the oil and gas law in Parliament, which will guarantee everyone their rights."
He added, "The salary problem has persisted for 10 years, and there is a deliberate effort by some political entities to create problems. The optimal solution to these recurring crises lies in passing the oil and gas law, as it will provide a comprehensive solution. All agreements between Baghdad and Erbil are temporary and are not adhered to by the federal government."
He emphasized that "the oil and gas law is based on a constitutional provision and article, but some political blocs are shirking their responsibility to implement this article because it pertains to the Kurdistan Region, just as they have shirked their responsibility to implement Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution."
In Erbil, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Qubad Talabani, received a delegation from the US-Kurdistan Business Council, headed by its president, David Tvorey. The two sides discussed several issues of mutual interest.
The Deputy Prime Minister indicated that "we support the swift passage of the oil and gas law during the new session of the Iraqi Parliament, which will contribute to resolving the disputes between the region and Baghdad in accordance with the Constitution and the relevant powers, and in a manner that respects the special status of the Kurdistan Region."
The oil and gas law is one of the most prominent outstanding issues, with disagreements resurfacing with each parliamentary session without reaching a final settlement that satisfies all parties. Regarding
the revitalization of the economy
, economic expert Salar Aziz believes that the oil and gas law can only be passed by prioritizing it in the negotiations to form the Iraqi government.
In an interview with Al-Mada, he explained, "This issue must be a top priority in negotiations between the Kurdish, Shia, and Sunni parties to ensure its passage during this session. This requires unity among the Kurdish parties on this matter, speaking as a unified voice, so they can form a force to be reckoned with."
He added, "Passing the law will contribute to improving the region's economy, ending the salary crisis, operating refineries and gas plants, and utilizing the untapped oil reserves in the region's fields.
Clarification from the Sudanese bloc after joining the framework to form the largest bloc
Thanaa Al-Akeeli, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, announced that the formation of the largest bloc by the Coordination Framework, with the participation of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, represents an important turning point in the Iraqi political scene after the recent elections, stressing that this step will redraw the map of alliances and show the framework’s ability to unify positions and overcome differences between its political forces.
Al-Akeeli confirmed in a statement to “Al-Manassa Al-Jarida” that the joining of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition to the largest bloc will give the new alliance additional political weight, given the coalition’s electoral presence and its reformist economic vision that aligns with the requirements of the next stage.
She explained that the coordination framework seeks, through this declaration, to present itself as the guarantor of the stability of the political process and the one capable of bringing together national forces within a coherent governmental project that focuses on improving services, building the state, enhancing security, and activating the national economy.
Strengthening control over border crossings
The General Authority of Customs announced the establishment of an integrated operations center comprising several specialized rooms for managing the entry of goods through border crossings, as part of a comprehensive plan for next year aimed at modernizing electronic systems, restructuring customs work and enhancing control over all centers.
The Director General of the Authority, Thamer Qasim Dawood, explained that the center includes a risk management room for data analysis, a sonar monitoring room for identifying hazardous and prohibited materials, and a camera room for 24/7 monitoring of operations. The center also houses a call center to handle complaints from citizens and merchants, and a SCODA team for simultaneous auditing of transactions in Baghdad, Basra, and border crossings. The region.
Daoud confirmed that the Authority adopts a risk management system in accordance with international standards, and grants facilities to compliant importers, while procedures are currently being automated and electronically linked with government agencies to facilitate customs clearance and accelerate trade, which contributes to reducing corruption and administrative red tape.
The fate of the 2025 budget schedules now rests with the next government.
MP Mudhar al-Karawi confirmed on Wednesday that the fate of the 2025 budget schedules will undoubtedly be decided by the next government following the Federal Court’s decision.
Al-Karawi told Al-Maalouma, “The 2025 budget schedules were expected to arrive in January or February of this year, but they have been delayed, and we are approaching the end of 2025. Consequently, after the Federal Court’s decision to end the fifth parliamentary session, it is no longer possible to resolve this issue, especially since it is linked to the current government, which is now acting in a caretaker capacity and, according to legal procedures, cannot proceed with this matter.”
He added, "The decision on the 2025 budget schedules will, according to the legal framework, be transferred to the next government, which is responsible for making the decision through the Council of Ministers and then submit it to the Parliament for review and scrutiny before final approval."
Al-Karawi pointed out that “the delay in finalizing the budget has had repercussions on ministries, institutions, agencies, and projects, and has created financial difficulties for many state institutions
The Iraqi government confirms: There are no indications yet for the 2026 budget.
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed that the three-year budget law still covers all the state’s financial obligations until the end of 2025, indicating that there are no indicators for the 2026 budget yet.
Saleh said in a statement followed by ( IQ) , “The fixed and variable allocations are still in effect and provide full financial cover for projects and public expenditures throughout the period of the law’s validity, and the continuation of the three-year budget gives ministries and government agencies stability in planning and financing without the need for a new budget during the next two years.”
He added, "There are no indications yet of a budget for 2026," explaining that "the timelines set by the amended Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2013 have almost expired, with the exception of some technical cases permitted by the law."
He pointed out that "the Ministry of Finance has not yet started preparing the draft, stressing that the 2026 budget estimates will depend on geopolitical developments, fluctuations in global growth and the economy, and on oil prices, which represent the state's largest resource, suggesting that the 2026 estimates will be close to the 2025 revenues under the current circumstances."
The financial advisor pointed out that the spending priorities in the country are settled, foremost among them being salaries, wages, pensions and social assistance, stressing that the government is doing its utmost to secure these monthly expenses as a safety valve for the Iraqi people .
He said that between eight and nine million citizens receive a salary, wage, pension, or government subsidy directly, and that each of these individuals represents an entire family that depends on these entitlements, noting that a large percentage of Iraqis depend on government revenues directly or indirectly, which makes the commitment to these payments a fundamental and irreversible matter .
The Prime Minister’s financial advisor explained that development projects will be subject to adjustments to suit the financial circumstances, but ongoing projects will continue to receive funding in accordance with the law .
He explained that “if 2026 is entered without a budget, the state will be obligated to spend one-twelfth of the actual expenditures recorded in 2025, based on the applicable Financial Management Law.”
Al-Hakim: The United States sent Savaya to Iraq to finish off the prime minister's plan.
Political analyst Mohammed Ali Al-Hakim believes that the United States sent its envoy Mark Savaya in order to finalize its plan to select a prime minister who meets its ambitions and serves its interests.
Al-Hakim told Al-Maalouma, “The data and international and regional transformations in particular have made America look for a prime minister who is close to it, and the proof of that is the arrival of the American envoy Savaya to end the scheme that America is trying to play in Iraq by bringing in a prime minister who is in line with its interests and far from Iran.”
He added that "imposing any figure without satisfying the regional and international factor means shaking the internal situation, and this is not in the interest of Iraq or in the interest of some political forces."
He indicated that "the coming days are pregnant with unexpected surprises, and the position of Prime Minister has become, in particular, a matter of regional and international conflict, involving complex political calculations and equations to produce a figure capable of maneuvering between regional and international factors."
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