Iran's Majlis confirms Rouhani’s 5th science min. nominee

TEHRAN, Nov. 26 (MNA) – Mohammad Farhadi has won the Parliament’s vote of confidence for the post of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Mohammad Farhadi obtained a vote of confidence with 197 lawmakers voting for him, 28 against, and 10 abstained. In an open session of the Parliament today morning, parliamentarians participated in Majlis to review the qualifications of Rouhani’s fifth nominee for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Rouhani kicked off Wednesday's session by defending Mohammad Farhadi who is an otolaryngologist, and is currently the head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society. He served as the Minister of Health in the cabinet of former President Mohammad Khatami. Following the president, different MPs delivered speeches for and against the proposed nominee. Ali Motahari and Ali Mohammad Ahmadi were among MPs speaking against Mohammad Farhadi. Ali Motahari criticized those MPs who had decided to give a vote of confidence to Mohammad Farhadi and underlined that the previous candidates were all rejected by MPs over their ties to 2009 post-election unrests and Farhadi was not acquitted of these convictions either. He referred to a letter signed by Mohammad Farhadi condemning the imprisonment and arresting protestors during 2009 post-election unrests. Motahari emphasized that granting a vote of confidence to Mohammad Farhadi was not in line with Majlis red lines. In opposition to the new nominee, Ali Mohammad Ahmadi said Farhadi did not fulfill and qualify for the post of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, adding that Farhadi is not familiar with the needs of such a sensitive post. He criticized President Rouhani over his choice and said Dr. Farhadi was minister of health and medical education and it has nothing to do with Science Ministry. Mohammad Mahdi Rahbari and Seyyed Mehdi Hashemi were two MPs defending Mohammad Farhadi. Stressing his acquaintance with Farhadi in the last 30 years, Rahbari called the new nominee as the most qualified one on the basis of knowledge, morality, justice, etc. He criticized Motahari for lack of honesty in regards to his allegations over Mohammad Farhadi and said, Farhadi has denied all the convictions over his connections to 2009 post-election unrests. Referring to the plans of Mohammad Farhadi, Seyyed Mehdi Hashemi acknowledged that he has great plans over fixing the problems related to Ministry of Science, Research and Technology includng interdisciplinary promotions, Strengthening Basij in the universities, and solving scientific and academic issues. He urged Majlis to give him a vote of confidence over his key responsibilities in varoius posts in the country. Earlier, the parliament had dismissed the four nominees introduced by Iran’s president which underscored the great sensitivities to the post.