Member of Parliament Mukhtar al-Youssef said it is very unlikely that Iraq’s 2026 budget will be approved this year. According to him, the government’s main focus right now is making sure employee salaries are paid and dealing with the country’s current economic challenges.
Al-Youssef explained that attention will likely shift toward preparing the 2027 budget instead of finalizing the 2026 budget. He reassured citizens that salary payments will not be affected by the delay.
He said the government still has several options to cover the budget deficit. These include internal and external borrowing, as well as using resources from the Central Bank of Iraq. He also noted that there is strong political and parliamentary support for the government’s efforts to keep salaries secure until a new budget is approved.
Al-Youssef added that the delay is linked to the government’s ongoing work program. He said the government is still completing its formation after Parliament granted the Prime Minister the authority needed to manage the country’s economic affairs.
For now, officials are focused on maintaining financial stability and ensuring that public sector employees continue to receive their salaries on time.
