Iraqi Budget Amendment: A Step Towards Stability
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani has announced that the recent amendment to the general budget law, sanctioned by the Council of Ministers, is aimed at reinforcing political stability and fostering cooperation. He urged the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Ministry of Oil to initiate the implementation of the amendment without delay.
In a statement delivered by government spokesman Bassem Awadi, Sudani emphasized the significance of the amendment recently approved by the Kurdistan Regional Government on February 2. He called for immediate action from both the KRG and federal institutions to implement the amendment to facilitate investment in natural resources, particularly oil.
“Let the wealth be a factor in supporting stability and motivating further plans and programs that meet the needs of the Iraqi populace,” Sudani stated.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has committed to providing 400,000 barrels of oil per day until an international consulting party establishes the price. Sudan expressed his appreciation for the parliamentary decision, describing it as a reflection of robust collaboration between the government and parliament aimed at advancing development, reconstruction, and reform.
On February 2, 2025, the Iraqi parliament ratified the first amendment to the country’s three-year budget law, which included the removal of Article 12 and the introduction of a new framework.
Barzani, a key figure in the KRG, congratulated all who facilitated the amendment and acknowledged the KRG’s negotiating team for their efforts in establishing a mechanism to resolve salary issues. He expressed optimism that this amendment would mark the beginning of resolving outstanding challenges and urged the federal government to commit to transferring salaries and financial entitlements to the Kurdistan Region.