Five of the 14 confirmed ministers are independents, Abdul-Mahdi said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
Abdul-Mahdi and two-thirds of his cabinet were sworn in on October 25. Eight ministries are yet to be filled, including the interior and defence posts that are under dispute.
The five independents were not identified.
Thousands applied through the website set up by Abdul-Mahdi in a bid to bring more independents and technocrats into the government.
The curriculum vitae of more than 15,000 applicants have been sent to the ministries to form a database “to be made use of in picking experts, volunteers, and specialists based on need,” the prime minister stated.
Applicants had been asked to provide suggestions for how they would address key problems facing the government. Abdul-Mahdi said these solutions have also been complied and will be studied by the relevant ministries.
Governments in Iraq post-Saddam Hussein have been criticized for corruption and patronage based on party allegiances. After million-man demonstrations in Baghdad over the past year and deadly protests in Basra this summer, the new government is making an effort to shake off the old ways and connect more with the people.
