# Iraq appoints new president and prime minister as political deadlock gives way to a partial government

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/iraq-moves-toward-government-formation-amid-international-pressure
> Updated: 2026-05-14T18:30:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 5.

After months of parliamentary stalemate, Iraq’s parliament elected former Kurdish environment minister Nisar Amedi as president on 11 April. The new president then nominated Ali al‑Zaidi as prime‑ministerial candidate on 27 April, a move described as being made under pressure from both the United States and Iran and giving him 30 days to form a government. On 30 April, former U.S. president Donald Trump invited al‑Zaidi to Washington and offered his blessing as the cabinet‑building process continued. On 14 May, parliament approved a partial cabinet of 14 ministers, allowing al‑Zaidi to be sworn in as prime minister while the interior and defence ministries remained vacant. Later that day, Turkey praised the new Iraqi prime minister following the confidence vote and pledged ongoing support for Iraq’s stability.

## Timeline

### 2026-05-14: Turkey welcomes Iraq's new PM Ali Zeydi after confidence vote

Turkey praised Iraq’s new PM Ali Zeydi after parliament’s confidence vote, pledging continued support for Iraq’s stability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-welcomes-iraqs-new-pm-ali-zeydi-after-confidence-vote

### 2026-05-14: Ali al‑Zaidi Sworn In as Iraq Prime Minister with Partial Cabinet

Ali al‑Zaidi becomes Iraq’s prime minister as parliament approves 14 ministers, leaving interior and defence posts vacant.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ali-alzaidi-sworn-in-as-iraq-prime-minister-with-partial-cabinet

### 2026-04-30: Trump invites Iraq’s PM-designate to Washington, offers his blessing

Trump invites Iraq’s PM-designate to Washington and offers his blessing as the government forms.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-invites-iraqs-pm-designate-to-washington-offers-his-blessing

### 2026-04-27: Iraq names Ali al-Zaidi PM nominee amid US and Iran pressure

Ali al-Zaidi named PM nominee in Iraq amid US and Iran pressure; president asks him to form a government within 30 days.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iraq-names-ali-al-zaidi-pm-nominee-amid-us-and-iran-pressure

### 2026-04-11: Iraq elects Nisar Amedi as president after parliamentary vote

Iraq's parliament elected Kurdish former environment minister Nisar Amedi as president after earlier gridlock.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iraq-elects-nisar-amedi-as-president-after-parliamentary-vote

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Cite as: Iraq appoints new president and prime minister as political deadlock gives way to a partial government. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/iraq-moves-toward-government-formation-amid-international-pressure