Iraq ranks seventh among Arab countries with high investment risks.

Iraq is among the countries with high investment risks, according to the latest equity risk premium estimates issued by New York University finance professor Aswath Damodaran.

The “equity risk premium” is one of the most prominent financial indicators that measures the level of risk in countries’ economies, as it represents the additional return that an investor demands in exchange for going to a particular market instead of safe assets. The higher this ratio is, the greater the risk and the lower the investor confidence.

According to estimates, Iraq came in seventh place in the Arab world with a premium of 13.9%, alongside Egypt and Tunisia, reflecting the continued challenges facing the investment environment in the country.

Lebanon and Sudan topped the list in the Arab world with 30.9%, followed by Syria and Yemen at 19.8%, then Somalia at 17.2%, while Bahrain recorded 11.4% and Algeria 10.1%.

Globally, Belarus, Lebanon, Sudan and Venezuela were among the most dangerous with a premium of 30.9%, while Switzerland and Sweden recorded the lowest levels of risk globally at about 4.2%.

Experts believe that Iraq remaining within these medium to high levels of risk means that the cost of attracting foreign investment is still high, which calls for accelerating economic reforms, improving the business environment, and enhancing financial stability.

Experts emphasize that reducing these risks requires practical measures that include diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on oil, and developing infrastructure, which will enhance investor confidence and raise the competitiveness of the Iraqi economy at the international level.

Shafaq.com

“Reconstruction and Development” proposes a “secret” vote for the next Iraqi Prime Minister.

Qusay Mahbouba, a leader in the “Reconstruction and Development” coalition (led by current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani), proposed on Tuesday to the Coordination Framework a new mechanism for selecting the next Prime Minister, which is to adopt a “secret vote” for the 186 members of the House of Representatives who are part of the Framework, in order to get out of the political deadlock.

Mahbouba said in a post that the coordination framework had reached a “dead end; there is no clear mechanism for resolution and no unified vision for the next stage,” considering that the solution lies in “inviting the representatives of the framework to a secret vote, as the general body, to choose the candidate for prime minister.”

He pointed out that implementing this proposal “will get the framework out of its crisis, and restore the representatives to their true role, so that the decision becomes binding and respected by all,” describing this mechanism as “a clear message confirming that democracy begins with the will of the representatives, not with the understandings of the leaders.”

This proposal comes as the coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq failed to hold a “decisive” meeting on Saturday and Monday with the aim of naming a candidate for the position of Prime Minister, which was postponed until Wednesday.

These developments come at a time when the government formation process has entered a critical phase, following the election of Nizar Amidi as President of the Republic. This places the largest bloc before a constitutional deadline ending on April 26 to officially present its candidate, amid fears of returning to square one of political deadlock.

Shafaq.com

The coordinating framework fails to decide on a candidate for prime minister and postpones its meeting.

The Coordination Framework failed again to decide on a candidate for the premiership on Monday evening, due to disagreements among its members over two names nominated for the position. However, the Secretary-General of the Framework, Abbas Al-Amiri, confirmed that the meeting was “positive,” but that the agreement needs more time to mature.

Al-Amiri said in a video after the meeting: “Today’s meeting was positive and all opinions and discussions were presented. It needed more time, so the framework decided to postpone the meeting until Wednesday to complete today’s dialogue.”

Al-Amiri confirmed that “tomorrow, Tuesday, the dialogue will also be completed,” indicating that “the atmosphere today was very positive, and we will reach a solution next Wednesday.”

A source told Shafaq News Agency that “the coordination framework has not reached the stage of agreeing on the name of the candidate, Bassem al-Badri, and disagreements have occurred regarding the distribution of ministerial portfolios and independent bodies, most notably the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

Yesterday, the General Secretariat of the Coordinating Framework called on the forces of the framework to hold a meeting today, Monday, at the office of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, stressing that the agenda is limited to deciding on the candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq failed to hold a “crucial” meeting last Saturday, and it was postponed to Monday.

These developments come at a time when the government formation process has entered a critical phase, following the election of Nizar Amidi as President of the Republic. This places the largest bloc before a constitutional deadline ending on April 26 to officially present its candidate, amid fears of returning to square one of political deadlock.

Shafaq.com

Wisdom surrounds Shafaq News with scenarios for the “crucial” framework meeting… and a new name enters the race

MP Riyad Adai, from the “Hikma” bloc, confirmed that the coordination framework meeting scheduled for Monday evening is still on, suggesting that the prime minister candidate will be decided within the next 24 hours, with a new name being put forward among the scenarios being discussed.

Adai told Shafaq News Agency that the remaining constitutional period for assigning the Coordination Framework’s candidate to form the government is five days, which puts the Framework’s leaders in a political predicament and pushes towards resolving the issue quickly.

He explained that the framework’s internal regulations stipulate that the candidate who obtains two-thirds of the votes or the consensus of the leaders will be the framework’s official candidate for the position of Prime Minister.

He added that today’s meeting will be held in the office of the head of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, denying any postponement, and expressing his hope that the name of the candidate will be decided during the session.

Adai pointed out that there is more than one scenario being considered, the first of which includes putting forward the name of the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, while another scenario includes names including Basim Al-Badri, in addition to putting forward the name of Ihsan Al-Awadi as a new candidate.

He explained that the person who is acceptable within the coordination framework and is able to collect the required votes will be the closest to obtaining the final nomination.

For his part, a parliamentary source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that the meeting will be held on its scheduled date, and that one of the proposed scenarios is for each party to present its candidate for the position of Prime Minister, and then a vote will be held to choose the one who obtains two-thirds of the votes.

The source added that the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, will put forward the name of Bassem al-Badri, while al-Sudani will put forward the name of Ihsan al-Awadi, with the winner being the candidate of the Coordination Framework for the premiership, who will be chosen by a two-thirds majority.

Yesterday, the General Secretariat of the Coordinating Framework called on the forces of the framework to hold a meeting today, Monday, at the office of the leader of the Wisdom Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, stressing that the agenda is limited to deciding on the candidate for the presidency of the Council of Ministers.

The coordinating framework that includes the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq failed to hold a “crucial” meeting last Saturday, and it was postponed to Monday.

These developments come at a time when the government formation process has entered a critical phase, following the election of Nizar Amidi as President of the Republic. This places the largest bloc before a constitutional deadline ending on April 26 to officially present its candidate, amid fears of returning to square one of political deadlock.

Shafaq.com

Support: The prime ministerial candidate may be outside the three names.

Former MP Hassan Fad’am, from the Coordination Framework, confirmed on Monday that the Framework is determined to decide on its candidate for Prime Minister during its meeting today or next Wednesday.

Fadaam told Al-Maalouma that “the coordination framework will hold its meeting today in order to decide on the selection of the prime minister for the next stage, and the framework is determined to end this matter and choose its candidate before the end of the constitutional deadline next Sunday.”

He added that “today’s session will be held to decide on the selection of the new president, and the framework session and its meeting may be postponed until next Wednesday, and it is expected that there will be a candidate from outside the three nominated names (the former prime ministers).”

He explained that “the candidate Bassem al-Badri is under consideration by the Coordination Framework, and the Framework will finalize its position on this matter during its upcoming meeting, either today or next Wednesday, to announce the candidate it will present to be tasked with forming the government.”

Almaalomah.me

Reconstruction and Development: Tonight’s framework meeting is crucial, and there is no alternative to al-Sudani and al-Maliki.

The spokesperson for the Reconstruction and Development Bloc, Firas al-Muslawi, revealed on Monday that there are positive indicators for the coordination framework meeting scheduled for this evening. He emphasized the blocs’ commitment to finalizing their candidate for the position of Prime Minister, coinciding with the approaching constitutional deadline.

Al-Muslawi told the Information Agency that “tonight’s meeting of the coordination framework leaders will be crucial in determining the final mechanism for selecting the next Prime Minister, and then proceeding to a vote on the candidate, whether by consensus or majority.” He predicted that “the candidate’s name will be officially decided in a meeting that may be held next Wednesday.”

He added that “the Reconstruction Bloc remains committed to its leader, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and there is no alternative to him at present. The Dawa Party has also clearly announced its support for the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki.” He pointed out that “the tight constitutional deadlines are pushing everyone towards resolving the issue as quickly as possible.”

Almaalomah.me

MP: There is no draft budget law for 2026… Finance Ministry focuses on controlling spending

MP Ahmed Haji Rashid confirmed on Monday that there is no draft budget law for 2026 at present, indicating that the legal procedures for its preparation will begin in the middle of next year.

Rashid told the Information Agency, “The preparation of the 2026 budget is not underway now; rather, its outlines and preparation are scheduled to begin in May 2025,” explaining that “what is being circulated now is merely speculation.”
He added that “there are accurate financial statements issued by the Ministry of Finance and submitted to the Federal Board of Supreme Audit to regulate the current expenditure mechanism,” noting that “these procedures aim to ensure transparency in spending while awaiting the legal deadlines for preparing future budgets.”

Almaalomah.me

Abdul Hadi: Today’s framework meeting is crucial, and there will be no postponement in announcing the final decision.

A member of the Coordination Framework, Awda Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Monday that the meeting of the Coordination Framework forces scheduled for this evening in Baghdad will be decisive, denying any postponement or delay in announcing the final decision.
Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma, “The meeting of the Coordination Framework forces this evening will be final in determining the identity of the candidate for the next prime minister,” noting that “all leaders are determined to resolve this matter without any delay or hesitation.”

He added that “the number of candidates proposed so far is four, and it is impossible to determine who will receive support before the meeting concludes,” emphasizing that “all options remain open.”

He explained that “the Coordination Framework will announce the identity of the agreed-upon candidate in an official statement immediately after the meeting concludes,” indicating that “the Framework forces agree on the necessity of expediting the formation of the government in light of the current circumstances, and the importance of forming a fully empowered government to manage critical issues, particularly financial, economic, and security matters.”

Almaalomah.me

Coordination framework: No withdrawals among candidates; final decision to be made this evening.

A member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, confirmed on Monday that none of the candidates for the position of Prime Minister have withdrawn, indicating that the list of names remains limited to only four candidates.

Abdul-Hadi told Al-Maalouma, “What is being circulated about withdrawals or a reduction in the number of candidates is inaccurate, as the four names remain on the table of the Coordination Framework forces without any change,” denying “the withdrawal of any candidate so far.”

He added that “the meeting of the Framework forces, scheduled for this evening, will be decisive and final in determining the identity of the candidate who will receive the Framework’s support to assume the task of forming the next government and managing it for the next four years.”

He pointed out that “so far, it is not possible to favor any particular candidate, but the Framework will rely on the principle of achieving a majority in making its final choice,” noting that “the picture of the supported candidate will be clearer after the meeting concludes this evening.”

Abdul-Hadi confirmed that “all indications point to the presence of all leaders of the Coordination Framework at this important meeting, given its direct impact on the formation of the next government.”

Almaalomah.me

A liquidity crisis is putting pressure on Iraq’s finances; a government advisor proposes two options.

The financial advisor to the Iraqi government, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Monday that the country’s public finances are facing a liquidity crisis as a result of declining oil revenues due to the repercussions of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, revealing two main options to address the revenue gap and ensure the continuation of government spending.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that public revenues may not exceed 4 trillion dinars per month, compared to operating expenses estimated at about 8 trillion dinars, including salaries, pensions and social welfare.

He explained that the current crisis represents a short-term liquidity crisis resulting from an imbalance between incoming cash flows and fixed financial obligations, rather than a structural crisis in the state’s financial capacity.

He explained that the first option is to resort to internal financing through the issuance of short-term government debt instruments and the activation of open market operations in coordination with the central bank, to provide urgent liquidity that enables the state to meet its obligations, warning of potential inflationary pressures and risks to the exchange rate if these measures are not managed carefully.

He added that the second option is to borrow externally through international financial institutions or global capital markets by issuing international bonds or loans with sovereign guarantees, noting that this path supports foreign reserves and enhances the stability of the dinar, but it may be linked to reform conditions.

Saleh suggested adopting a mix of rapid domestic financing to cover immediate needs, and external borrowing later to enhance financial stability in the medium term.

He stressed that the success of this approach depends on controlling public spending, improving non-oil revenues, maintaining exchange rate stability, and restoring optimal oil export capacities.

He concluded by saying that the Strait of Hormuz crisis has once again highlighted the fragility of Iraq’s dependence on oil revenues, and the need to build more flexible and sustainable financial instruments.

Shafaq.com