“Tidbits From TNT” Wednesday 3-11-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Al-Saadi: The new government may be formed after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Former MP Baqir al-Saadi confirmed on Tuesday that the formation of the next Iraqi government may take place after the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Al-Saadi told Al-Maalomah, “Despite the current situation in the region, the aggression against Iran, and the repeated targeting of Popular Mobilization Forces units that resulted in martyrs and wounded, efforts to proceed with forming the government are ongoing and it is taking upon itself the management of these files and the endeavor to address the economic and financial crises.”
He added that “expectations indicate that after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, we may witness the formation of a new government, especially since all political forces have become aware of the seriousness of the situation and the need to join forces to resolve the outstanding issues.”
He explained that “the next two weeks could be crucial in finding clear paths to resolve the presidential issue, and then moving to the final stage of tasking the candidate of the largest bloc with forming the cabinet,” stressing that “political meetings in Baghdad are ongoing and may yield more positive results in the coming period.” link
Tishwash: Rule of law: We will complete two-thirds within the framework if the Sudanese need it to secure a second term.
Diaa Al-Nasiri, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed that the coalition will complete the two-thirds within the coordination framework if the current Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, needs it to finalize his nomination for a second term.
Al-Nasiri said on a television program: “If the Sudanese candidate gets a two-thirds majority, we are with him.”
The statement comes as no official statement has been issued by the framework announcing the withdrawal of Nouri al-Maliki’s candidacy, as the latter insists that the framework itself should withdraw, and that he will not back down.
A private source confirmed that understandings within the coordination framework to re-nominate Mr. Al-Sudani for a second term have been postponed for a few days, after it was planned to announce this at Monday’s meeting. link
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Tishwash: 100 trillion dinars held in homes: Withdrawal restrictions fuel a "cash economy," but the central bank offers reassurance.
The New World
Confidence in the Iraqi banking sector is facing a critical test. While an economist warns that restricting withdrawals is fueling a “cash economy” and hoarding 100 trillion dinars in homes, the Central Bank rushed in an extraordinary session to reassure the markets, stressing the strength of the financial system and its ability to manage liquidity, in an attempt to bridge the gap between precautionary policies and depositors’ fears.
Loss of confidence in banks
Economic expert Haider Abdullah Asfour told Al-Alam Al-Jadeed on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) that “the inability of citizens to withdraw their money in full from banks causes significant damage to the banking sector and the economy in general,” explaining that “this is mainly due to the weakness of those in charge of this sector, their lack of experience, and the confusion in dealing with crises, which greatly affects the work of banks.”
Local news sites reported on Monday that Rafidain and Rasheed banks are suffering from a severe liquidity crisis and a shortage of cash, with a clear decline in the funds available within them.
Branches of the two banks have begun asking customers to wait or return later to receive their money in full, while some branches are providing part of the required amount and postponing the delivery of the rest.
Asfour explains that “one of the most prominent of these damages is the loss of confidence in the banking sector, as when a citizen cannot freely withdraw his money, he loses confidence in banks, which leads citizens to refrain from depositing their money in banks and prefer to keep cash at home instead of in banks.”
It is believed that “weak confidence also leads to a decline in bank deposits, as citizens begin to gradually withdraw their money from banks, which leads to a decrease in the volume of deposits and weakens the banks’ ability to lend and invest.”
Cash economy
He points out that “this also contributes to increasing the cash economy, as citizens keeping their money outside banks leads to an increase in cash circulation outside the banking system, which reduces the state’s ability to monitor financial and tax activity and the movement of funds that may be directed towards terrorism, support for extremist and terrorist groups, or corruption.”
He adds, “Among the repercussions is also the weakening of investment and development, as banks rely on deposits to finance projects, and when deposits decline, loans granted to small and medium enterprises decrease and economic growth slows down.”
Investors' reluctance
He continues, “Restricting withdrawals also leads to damage to the reputation of the banking system locally and internationally, as it harms the reputation of banks and leads to the reluctance of foreign investors and the difficulty for banks to enter into international partnerships.”
100 trillion dinars
Expert Asfour points to the existence of a large cash mass outside the banking system, saying: “The cash mass in Iraq amounts to about 100 trillion Iraqi dinars, which is equivalent to 75 to 76 billion dollars according to data from the Central Bank of Iraq at the beginning of 2026,” indicating that “about 70 to 90 percent of this cash is outside the banking system and in homes, which leads to a weakening of the credit role of banks.”
Asfour calls on decision-makers and those in charge of this “sector to reconsider the policies followed in a way that serves the Iraqi economy and the national interest and does not harm the interests of citizens and their confidence in the banking system.”
Iraqi market
The economist points out that “regional conditions, including the war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, and what is related to the Strait of Hormuz and the halt in oil production, as well as the banks depositing about 117 trillion dinars with the Central Bank, in addition to the banks’ fears of the rise in the price of the dollar against the dinar, are all factors that have confused the Iraqi market.”
It also points to “practical problems faced by those dealing with banks, such as contractors who have payment vouchers issued by certain ministries and deposited with banks, but they face difficulty in receiving their money due to the lack of liquidity, which casts doubt on the banks’ ability and weakens confidence in them.”
Central Bank reassures
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Monday that it continues to perform its constitutional and legal responsibilities in protecting monetary and financial stability and maintaining the strength and integrity of the banking system in Iraq.
The bank stated in a statement received by “Al-Alam Al-Jadeed” that the Central Bank’s Board of Directors held an extraordinary session to follow up on current economic and financial developments, review the most prominent macroeconomic indicators, and assess future expectations in light of local and international developments and the challenges or opportunities they may present to the national economy.
The statement added that during the meeting, the council conducted a comprehensive assessment of the monetary and financial market conditions, including an analysis of liquidity levels in the banking system and developments in the money supply, as well as a review of the levels of foreign reserves at the central bank.
The Council also reviewed financial stability indicators and the performance of the banking sector, in addition to monitoring foreign trade and payment flows, while assessing potential risks associated with regional and international economic variables and their potential repercussions on the Iraqi economy.
The council discussed a number of possible economic and financial scenarios for the next phase, focusing on how to enhance the flexibility of monetary policy and the sustainability of financial stability, and ensure the banking system’s ability to respond efficiently to the demands of economic activity.
Temporary shocks
Asfour affirms that “building a successful banking system requires an integrated and modern system that serves all parties,” stressing “the need to adopt economic policies that enhance confidence among investors and depositors instead of weakening it.”
He warns that “banks may be able to withstand temporary shocks, but they are required to look at the long term, enhance confidence, attract funds and investments, and encourage the localization of funds within banks through appropriate incentives and benefits, which will contribute to bringing the large monetary mass into the banking system and supporting financial stability in the country.”
Media sources revealed earlier (February 15, 2026) that the government was forced to withdraw about 20 trillion dinars from Al-Rafidain Bank, in addition to between 7 and 8 trillion dinars from Al-Rasheed Bank, as well as withdrawing about 7 billion dollars from another bank, along with sums of money from industrial and agricultural banks, in order to cover salaries during the past months. link
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Mot : Moms Truism
