Iran’s deputy speaker of parliament, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, told reporters in Tehran today that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, had to personally intervene to make sure that the Majlis approved Ahmadinejad’s cabinet. According to Bahonar, Khamanei sent a message to parliament members just prior to their votes, asking (ordering) them to cast yes vote during yesterday’s confidence vote [ISNA, 4 September].
Bahonar added that without Khamenei’s intervention, eight or nine nominees would have been rejected. Majlis did approve all but three nominees, including two women.
The episode is a blow to the independence of Majlis, and points to the growing power and influence being exercised by Khamenei.
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