President Ahmadinejad In Majlis To Defend His Nominee

Tehran, March 5, IRNA – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended Parliament (Majlis) open session Sunday to defend his nominee for the post of minister of cooperatives, labor and social welfare. Several Iranian officials including First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi, Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs Lotfollah Forouzandeh and Vice President for Constitutional Affairs Mohammad-Reza Mirtajeddini were accompanying President Ahmadinejad. On April 24, the President introduced Assadollah Abbasi to Majlis as his nominee for the post of minister of cooperatives, labor and social welfare. According to the Majlis laws, the President is allowed to defend his nominee for an hour and then four lawmakers can speak in favor of and against the proposed minister. Abbasi will then have 30 minutes to brief the MPs on his plans and answer their questions. Then the President will have another chance to defend Abbasi and the Majlis will start giving vote of confidence to him./end