Latest news with #Taqaddum
Daily Tribune
04-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Taqaddum Parliamentary bloc supports Tamkeen's new package of training and employment steps
The Taqaddum Parliamentary bloc has backed a new package of training and employment steps announced by Tamkeen, aimed at drawing more young Bahrainis into the health sector. The bloc described the move as long overdue and said it had been made possible by coordination between Parliament and the government, following directions from His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Minister of the Prime Minister's Court and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). In a statement yesterday, the group said the seven steps, focused on doctors, dentists and nurses, would offer a real chance to those who have waited years for a foot in the door. Linking training with actual job placements, it added, could finally help bridge the long-standing gap between graduation and work for medical students. Taqaddum said the plans would not have seen daylight without the interest shown by the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the backing of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. It said both had helped move talks between the two branches of power into a workable set of actions. Hospitals and clinics across Bahrain, the bloc said, will need to lend a hand if the effort is to go beyond announcements. It warned that without buy-in from those doing the hiring, the plans could stall. Still, it voiced hope that practical decisions from the executive side would clear any snags and smooth the process for hospitals in both sectors. The group said it had long pushed for faster ways to absorb Bahrainis into key areas, especially healthcare. It pledged to keep backing any route that gives priority to locals in work placements, calling on the rest of the country's sectors to follow suit. Taqaddum called for every new job scheme to draw on past lessons, stressing that Bahrain's own people remain its best bet. Home-grown skill, it said, is the only way to keep the country steady, moving forward and on a firm path to growth.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Prime minister says economic growth, job creation remain top priorities for gov't
AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said Monday that economic development remains the government's top priority, with a clear focus on achieving sustainable growth and creating job opportunities across. Speaking during a meeting with the Taqaddum parliamentary bloc, attended by Acting Speaker of the Lower House Mustafa Khasawneh, Hassan said that the recent economic indicators for the first quarter of the year are 'encouraging,' pointing to improvements in growth, trade, and investment figures. 'We hope this momentum continues and that these indicators strengthen further,' Hassan said, adding that the numbers reflect progress despite a decline in the mining sector due to global market conditions. 'Had it not been for this downturn, the current indicators would have reached record levels unseen in recent years.' The prime minister also outlined 'government interventions' aimed at supporting sectors impacted by regional tensions, most notably tourism. He cited positive signs of recovery expected with the start of the next tourism season in September, the Jordan news agency, Petra, reported. He also emphasised that economy is the government's number one file, with a focus on achieving sustainable economic growth to help create job opportunities, adding that the Economic Modernisation Vision is fundamentally based on this principle, especially by supporting the private sector, expanding its role, and attracting investments, mainly into industrial cities and development zones across the country. He also highlighted major strategic infrastructure projects currently under implementation in transport, water, energy, and other sectors, citing their significance in achieving economic goals and attracting foreign investment, according to Petra. Hassan said employee efficiency remains the primary performance metric, emphasising ongoing efforts to accelerate digital transformation, upgrade institutional culture, and implement training programmes, all designed to improve public service delivery. The prime minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to political modernisation, particularly through reforms to the Local Administration Law. 'We have initiated dialogue and will expand its scope,' he said, emphasizing that better municipal governance is essential to addressing challenges such as debt and weak services, Petra reported. 'Our goal is to maintain the path of democracy and reform while striking a balance between performance improvement and stronger governance,' he added. Khasawneh praised government outreach efforts, including visits to governorates, which he said reflect the Royal vision of modernisation across economic, political, and administrative tracks. 'These efforts noted, are especially important amid ongoing economic challenges.'
Shafaq News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Halbousi's party to contest elections without alliances
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the National Progress Party (Taqaddum), led by former Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, announced its decision to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections independently, without forming any electoral alliance. In a statement, the party leadership confirmed it had formally registered under the 'Taqaddum Party' with the Independent High Electoral Commission on Thursday, May 22. Earlier, Iraq's judiciary cleared Al-Halbousi of all previously filed charges, paving the way for his candidacy in Baghdad in the upcoming parliamentary elections. In the 2021 elections, the former Speaker's party won 37 out of 329 seats, making it the second-largest bloc in parliament after the Sadrists.
Shafaq News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sunni political alliances shift as Iraq prepares for November elections
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Sunni political landscape is undergoing a renewed phase of realignment and strategic positioning ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11. With internal competition, fading alliances, and the re-emergence of veteran figures, the Sunni front is mobilizing to secure its place in Baghdad and regain ground lost since the upheaval of 2014. Shafaq News has learned that four main forces are set to dominate the race in Sunni-majority provinces: Taqaddum (Progress) led by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Al-Siyada (Sovereignty) under Khamis al-Khanjar, Azm (Determination) headed by Muthanna al-Samarrai, and the newly established New Baghdad Alliance, a coalition formed around Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and several prominent Sunni figures. While some movements are already engaging in campaign activity, others appear hesitant, uncertain whether the political calendar will hold in the face of Iraq's broader institutional volatility. Legacy of Fragmentation Sunni representation in Iraq's post-2003 political system has been shaped by successive cycles of marginalization, reconfiguration, and resurgence. After the ISIS territorial takeover in 2014 devastated Sunni heartlands, Sunni factions saw their influence diminish. In the 2018 parliamentary elections, Sunni MPs secured just 73 of 329 seats—a steep decline from the 90 seats held in the prior cycle. That number rebounded in 2021 to approximately 94, but the gains were short-lived. Internal discord has continued to fragment Sunni representation. In January 2022, two major camps—al-Halbousi's Taqaddum and al-Khanjar's Azm—joined forces under the Al-Siyada Alliance, commanding a combined bloc of 71 seats. But unity proved fleeting. Al-Halbousi eventually withdrew, citing differences in strategy and leadership, effectively dissolving the coalition's momentum. In January 2025, a new attempt at consolidation emerged with the formation of the Sunni Leadership Alliance, announced in Baghdad. However, the alliance was notably launched without al-Halbousi's participation, a signal of enduring rivalry within the Sunni sphere. Despite its high-profile launch, the grouping has yet to translate its formation into a coherent electoral strategy or policy action. Sources close to recent negotiations confirmed that in March, Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani hosted a private meeting among leading Sunni figures, including al-Halbousi. The participants reportedly agreed on the need to maintain communal cohesion and refrain from escalating personal rivalries, which many see as a key obstacle to unified Sunni leverage in national politics. Major Blocs And Early Mobilization While formal coalition-building remains limited, campaign activity has already begun in several key provinces. Taqaddum and Azm have taken the lead, investing in candidate selection, media outreach, and constituency visits. Political operatives linked to Taqaddum are supporting several provincial lists, including the Iraq Hawks Movement led by Yazan Mishaan in Saladin, Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim in Kirkuk, and Industry Minister Khalid Battal in Al-Anbar. Influential tribal leader Ahmed Abu Risha is also reportedly preparing an electoral push aligned with Taqaddum-backed platforms. Azm, under the leadership of Muthanna al-Samarrai, is now regarded as the most extensive Sunni alliance. It includes several prominent political veterans such as former Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, former Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-Issawi, and ideological affiliates like the Justice and Benevolence Movement (Harakat al-Adl wal-Ihsan). The coalition aims to present itself as a centrist bloc capable of bridging the Sunni political divide and reasserting influence in the national legislature. Despite Al-Siyada's continued presence under al-Khanjar, the coalition has yet to mount a clear electoral strategy for November. A political source close to the group suggested that al-Khanjar remains skeptical that elections will proceed as planned, citing the risk of a broader political transition that could sideline the current electoral timeline altogether. Nonetheless, insiders revealed signs of quiet coordination between Taqaddum and Al-Siyada, raising the possibility of a post-election alliance should mutual interests align. While no formal agreement has been reached, observers note that electoral pragmatism could override past tensions in pursuit of a stronger Sunni parliamentary bloc. Baghdad And Beyond: Key Battlegrounds Sunni parties are expected to compete fiercely in several strategic provinces, most notably Al-Anbar, Saladin, Nineveh, Diyala, and parts of Baghdad. The capital's mixed constituencies will be a crucial testing ground for the New Baghdad Alliance, which seeks to mobilize moderate urban Sunni voters disillusioned with established factions. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani is betting on his stature to draw in support for a platform grounded in technocratic governance and Sunni-Shiite dialogue. His coalition includes former civil servants and professionals aiming to offer an alternative to the dominant tribal- and personality-based politics in Sunni areas. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to incorporate younger voices and grassroots movements into campaign lists. While these initiatives remain limited in scope, they reflect a broader generational shift underway across Iraq's political spectrum. Opportunity Amid Uncertainty With less than seven months remaining before the scheduled vote, Iraq's Sunni political scene remains in flux. While Taqaddum and Azm appear most organized, the absence of a unified electoral front could weaken Sunni influence in a post-election government formation process. The legacy of mistrust, divergent leadership ambitions, and regional competition continues to challenge collective action. Yet the potential for realignment remains. Observers suggest that electoral outcomes in Sunni areas will depend not only on intra-bloc rivalries but also on national political developments, including potential electoral law changes, federal court rulings, and the fate of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government. In this fluid environment, Iraq's Sunni leaders face a familiar dilemma: to compete or to coalesce. The answer, and its timing, may well determine the bloc's future relevance in a country still struggling to balance representation, stability, and reform.
Shafaq News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Over 1 million voters: Iraq's Al-Anbar prepares for high-stakes election
Shafaq News/ Former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi is leading three electoral lists ahead of the upcoming November elections, a senior Iraqi official revealed on Sunday. Hikmat Suleiman, Secretary-General of the National Brotherhood (Ikhaa) Party, told Shafaq News that al-Halbousi leads 'Taqaddum,' 'Qimam,' and 'al-Sarh al-Watani," predicting these lists could secure between nine and eleven seats in the province, with additional contenders including the 'Azm' Coalition led by Muthanna al-Samurrai and another bloc aligned with Khamis al-Khanjar, whose final list configuration remains unclear. He expects smaller parties, including 'al-Taawun,' the Islamic Party, and the Tribal Mobilization, to run under a joint list. According to the Independent High Electoral Commission's Al-Anbar office, around 1.2 million voters are currently eligible to participate in the upcoming polls, with that number expected to rise in the coming months. A source familiar with the electoral landscape told Shafaq News that the use of political influence and financial power has already begun to shape early campaigning. 'There are near-daily meetings in tribal guesthouses,' the source said, noting that these gatherings include tribal figures and local political leaders. Campaign activity has also led to tensions on the ground. On April 5, a confrontation over campaign posters in Ramadi's Zangoura district escalated into a physical altercation, amid a charged atmosphere in which promotional materials begin appearing across the province. In the last parliamentary elections in 2021, Al-Anbar recorded a 43% turnout. Al-Halbousi's Taqaddum bloc secured 37 seats nationwide, second only to the Sadrist Movement's 73. Khamis al-Khanjar's faction of the Azm coalition won 14 seats, while the wing led by Muthanna al-Samarrai claimed 12. The Independent High Electoral Commission has confirmed that formal campaigning will begin shortly ahead of election day.
