Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi, Iraq’s new Prime Minister, built his career in business and finance before entering politics. He holds degrees in law, finance and banking, and chairs the National Holding Company. Parliament approved 14 Cabinet ministers during a confidence vote, ending months of political deadlock and enabling al-Zaidi to formally assume office, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi has assumed office as the Prime Minister of Iraq after the successful vote of confidence in the Iraqi Parliament. Iraqi lawmakers on Thursday approved a new government led by businessman Ali al-Zaidi, who assumed office after months of deadlock and mounting pressure from the US.

Who is Ali Falih Kadhim al-Zaidi?

Ali al-Zaidi has never previously held any institutional political position, having built his career in finance and business. He was nominated as Iraq’s prime minister by the country’s influential Coordination Framework alliance in April this year after weeks of political deadlock. Iraq’s Parliament later approved parts of his Cabinet and government programme earlier this week.

As far as his academic credentials are concerned, al-Zaidi holds three academic degrees: a Bachelor’s degree in Law, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Finance and Banking.