ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - A member of Iraq’s Parliamentary Finance Committee has voiced concern over the government’s decision to start preparing the 2026 budget before approving the 2025 budget tables, calling the move “an unsound step.”

Committee member Moeen al-Kadhimi told The New Region on Saturday that the Ministry of Finance’s decision raises serious questions about Iraq’s financial planning process.

“There is concern about starting work on the 2026 budget while the 2025 budget tables have not yet been approved, even though the fiscal year is nearing its end, along with the constitutional term of the government and parliament,” Kadhimi said.

He explained that preparing a new budget before completing the current one is “administratively and financially incorrect” and violates the principles of sound fiscal management.

Kadhimi noted that executive bodies are legally required to implement the three-year budget already approved by parliament, rather than moving forward without ratifying the current year’s tables.

The lawmaker added that several provinces, investment projects, and salary payments for certain groups have faced delays due to the lack of finalized 2025 budget tables. “Talking about a new budget is unrealistic when there are no final accounts for this year,” he said.

Kadhimi concluded that the Finance Committee will closely follow the issue and demand official explanations from the government regarding the reasons for the delay and the decision to begin the 2026 budget process “without proper legislative and oversight foundations.”

The Iraqi government has started preparing the 2026 federal budget, financial adviser to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, Mudher Mohammad Saleh, said, noting that if parliament fails to approve it on time, spending will continue monthly at one-twelfth of 2025’s actual expenditures.

Once approved, funds will be directed toward investment projects and economic growth.

Finance Minister Taif Sami earlier blamed budget delays on oil price fluctuations and unresolved financial disputes with the Kurdistan Region.

The 2026 draft comes as the 2025 budget tables remain unfinished, despite parliament’s approval of a record $153 billion three-year budget covering 2023-2025.