Iraq’s FM denies reports of new hiring amid election season concerns

Shafaq News – Baghdad (updated at 10:10)

Iraq’s Ministry of Finance rejected claims circulating on social media and in some local outlets about new government job openings, saying no such appointments are currently underway.

In a statement released on Friday, the ministry said no public institution is authorized to make new hires or create additional positions beyond what is approved in the federal budget law. It added that the only exception — 150,000 positions distributed among the provinces under the 2023 budget — has already been filled, and the recruitment process has formally closed.

The clarification follows an earlier directive issued in October by the Federal Service Council, which halted all appointments across state institutions. The council’s head, Mohi Murtadha al-Qazwini, said the decision was based on administrative and legal grounds, noting that ministries, state-owned companies, and self-funded agencies must suspend hiring, including for positions that become vacant due to transfer, retirement, or death.

The Finance Ministry’s latest statement comes as Iraq prepares for parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11, 2025, in which about 21.4 million voters are expected to take part. The timing has raised speculation that unverified claims about new government jobs may be politically motivated, aiming to sway public sentiment or boost electoral support in certain provinces.