Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has reiterated his commitment to a cabinet reshuffle, marking the fourth time he has made this promise since taking office, yet without any concrete action. The timing of his statement, just one year before the next parliamentary elections, has raised questions among political observers.
In a notable move with just less than a year left in his term, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced his intention to implement a cabinet reshuffle, raising questions about the motivations behind the decision.
The announcement comes two years into al-Sudani's tenure, during which his government has achieved 62 percent of its stated objectives—a figure that has sparked mixed reactions among observers. While some see it as evidence of tangible progress, others argue it underscores the need to intensify efforts to meet remaining goals.
Al-Sudani considers the upcoming reshuffle a potentially crucial step to bolster his government’s efficiency and accelerate progress on pending initiatives before his term concludes.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, al-Sudani indicated the reshuffle would be performance-based, aimed at improving government effectiveness rather than targeting any specific political blocs. "This reshuffle is not a political stance against any party but a step toward meeting public expectations," he said. Al-Sudani noted his government's 62% success rate on various initiatives but acknowledged delays in some areas.
While the prime minister did not specify which ministers could be replaced, parliamentary sources say the Ministries of Defence may be under review. The announcement reportedly surprised political factions, given the limited time remaining in his administration.
Sources indicate that al-Sudani may face challenges from key political blocs, particularly the Coordination Framework, which holds influence over several ministries, including Transportation, Communications, Oil, and Agriculture. The Defence and Education ministries are currently represented by Sunni blocs, while the Kurdish factions hold the Ministry of Environment.
Al-Sudani has not yet formally requested replacement candidates, and some observers expect that he may do so only after Iraq's parliament to elect a new speaker after months of political disputes among the political blocs.
Al-Sudani's reshuffle intentions are not new. He previously attempted a cabinet reshuffle in 2023 but encountered pushback from political blocs and influential parties that were unwilling to give up their cabinet positions.
Some analysts believe al-Sudani's reshuffle proposal serves as a political message, indicating a focus on performance to bolster his position ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections by late 2025. Others point to the reshuffle announcement as a bid to show his efforts toward improving governance, even if the reshuffle ultimately does not materialize.
Al-Sudani's cabinet, formed in October 2022 with the backing of the State Administration Coalition, includes Iraq's major political parties, except the Sadrist Movement. His government follows a power-sharing formula among Iraq's Sunni, Shia, Kurdish, and minority factions, a structure established through an "electoral entitlement" system that allocates cabinet positions proportionally and was approved by parliament in October 2023 without significant opposition.
Defence Minister Thabet al-Abbasi is reportedly at the top of the list for replacement. The prime minister's announcement, his fourth since assuming office, comes as criticism around al-Abbasi intensifies from both al-Sudani and the blocs that initially endorsed him for the role.