News / Afghanistan

Ghani presents cabinet nominees to Afghan parliament

Tuesday, 20 January 2015 8:46 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 20 January 2015 8:46 AM ]

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has presented his cabinet nominees to the lower house of the parliament in Afghanistan for a vote of confidence.

Ghani presented the cabinet to the lawmakers on Tuesday. Afghan lawmakers will now start debating the candidates for heading ministries and other cabinet posts.

The Afghan president had introduced the cabinet last Monday, more than three months after his inauguration. Disagreement between Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah over the nominees for key ministries was the main reason behind the delay.

Lawmakers say Ghani would not have a smooth ride as many of the nominated ministers hold dual citizenship.

So far, two nominees have resigned. The nominee for heading the Agriculture Ministry came under fire after it emerged that he is wanted by the Interpol. Ghani has said he is investigating the issue and would replace the nominee if the Interpol issue is verified.

Ghani and Abdullah insisted that some crucial posts have to be taken by their loyalists. The stalemate over the makeup of the new cabinet raised worries over whether their unity government could survive, let alone govern effectively.

Military Chief of Staff Sher Mohammad Karimi is nominated for the post of defense minister, and the nomination for heading the powerful Interior Ministry has gone to a former general, Nur ul-Haq Ulumi.

The nominees for the two prominent positions at the defense and finance ministries are seen as close to Ghani.

Interior minister nominee Ulumi endorsed Abdullah, Ghani’s presidential election rival, during the polls, and the nominee to head the Foreign Ministry, Salahuddin Rabbani, is also close to the chief executive officer.

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