The story: The Finance Committee of Iraq’s Council of Representatives has voted to amend a long-stalled budget legislation. The move has sparked controversy as it is perceived as undermining the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ability to decide its own fiscal policies. Politically, the amendment complicates the passage of the delayed federal budget by antagonizing the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The Erbil-based party is a crucial element of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani’s government.

The coverage: The Sudani administration introduced the draft budget law on Mar. 14. But the text became bogged down in the Council of Representatives amid disagreements between parliamentary factions.

• However, momentum towards a resolution appeared to be building late last month, as Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi scheduled a vote on the legislation for May 27.
  
  
• The Finance Committee upset this scheduling by...