Larijani Reinstated as Parliament Speaker for 4th Year

TEHRAN (FNA)- Members of the Iranian Parliament on Wednesday reelected Ali Larijani as the speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly for the fourth consecutive year.
The MPs voted to elect a speaker, two vice-speakers and presiding board members in an open session of the parliament today.

Incumbent Speaker Ali Larijani was the uncontested candidate for the post of the speaker and was reinstated in his post with 212 votes cast in his favor from a total number of 244 votes. 32 lawmakers abstained.

Speaking at the end of today's voting, Larijani thanked his colleagues for their trust.

This is the last year of activity for the eighth Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Iran's vetting body, the Guardian Council, in April agreed with an Interior Ministry proposal for holding the country's next parliamentary elections in March 2012.

The Guardian Council is composed of six Islamic jurists who are directly appointed by the Supreme Leader and six lawyers elected by the parliament.

Constitutionally, the council is in charge of vetting candidates for presidential, parliamentary and Experts Assembly elections.

Ensuring compatibility of parliament legislations with the criteria of Islam and the Constitution is among other duties of the body.