Pressure mounts to dismiss Central Bank governor

A coordinated campaign is gaining momentum aimed at ousting Ali Al-Allaq from his role as governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI). The veteran official, who was reappointed in January 2023, faces mounting allegations of mismanagement that have galvanized political and parliamentary forces to seek his removal.

Member of the parliamentary integrity committee, Hadi Al-Salami, told reporters today that the acting speaker had agreed to question the CBI governor in an upcoming session. Salami noted that the integrity committee had repeatedly urged PM Sudani to end Allaq’s acting appointment, citing numerous alleged violations and the requirement to terminate acting positions within six months, as outlined in the Government Program.

One of the primary accusations against Allaq is his age, which MPs have argued makes him subject to retirement laws. A recent query by lawmakers to the State Council, which oversees legal clarifications, confirmed that the head of the CBI, as an independent body, is indeed subject to retirement regulations. This has fueled calls for his removal, adding to the scrutiny surrounding his tenure.