Iraq New Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi Sworn In With Partial Cabinet After Five-Month Deadlock

Iraq Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was sworn in on May 14 with only a partial cabinet of 14 approved ministries after parliament failed to reach consensus on nine remaining posts including interior and defense. The multimillionaire banker was nominated by the pro-Tehran Coordination Framework in April to succeed Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, ending a five-month political deadlock. President Trump voiced strong support for Zaidi in a May 1 call despite the PM-designate nomination by Iran-aligned Shia bloc.