Former MP Haider al-Salami raised concerns on Tuesday about the fourth amendment to the Cabinet’s internal rules, No. 5 of 2026, which was published in the Iraqi Gazette on November 9, 2026. He questioned whether the changes go against existing laws.
Al-Salami told dinaropinions.com that the amendment allows the Prime Minister to appoint up to 40 advisors and experts. However, Law No. 3 of 2022, which regulates the work of advisors, allows no more than six.
He also pointed out that the amendment gives the Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at least the rank of Lieutenant General and Minister. It also raises the Head of the Board of Advisors to ministerial rank and creates a new Deputy Head position with a special rank.
Al-Salami said the main concern is whether the Cabinet has the legal authority to make these changes through its internal rules. He questioned whether the government can use internal regulations to create new positions and powers that are not clearly allowed under existing laws.
He explained that Article 85 of the Iraqi Constitution gives the Cabinet the right to set its own internal rules to organize its work. However, this does not give it the power to change or override laws passed by the legislature.
He called for the government to reveal the financial cost of these new positions and requested a serious legal review and oversight to protect public money and uphold the rule of law.
Al-Salami ended by raising an important question: Have the Cabinet’s internal rules become a way to create positions and powers that existing laws do not allow?