Mudher Salih: Delay of 2026 Budget Halts Investment Projects, Holding Economy "Hostage" to Politics

 The Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mudher Mohamed Salih, warned today, Sunday, April 26, 2026, that the delay in passing the general budget reveals a deep structural flaw and leaves the Iraqi economy vulnerable to political friction. Salih explained that government spending represents 50% of the GDP, and any delay leads to stagnation in both public and private sectors and halts new investment projects. He emphasized that relying on the "1/12" disbursement mechanism limits spending to salaries and operational costs, weakening the economy's ability to achieve real growth and generate job opportunities for youth under the current 2026 conditions.