Science Minister Nominee Fails to Win Iran Parliament’s Confidence Vote
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s pick for the Science, Researches and Technology Ministry failed on Wednesday to garner the minimum number of votes by the parliament members for the post.
In an open session of the parliament on Wednesday morning, the lawmakers disqualified Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi from taking the helm at the ministry with 160 votes against, 79 in favor and 7 abstentions from a total of 246 votes.
In August, the parliamentarians had voted out former minister of science, Reza Faraji-Dana, after he was accused by the critics of politicizing the academic environment.
Thereafter, President Rouhani named Mohammad Ali Najafi as the caretaker to lead the ministry.
Under the Iranian Constitution, lawmakers can impeach an individual minister when they deem it necessary. An impeachment motion can be submitted when it has at least ten signatures.