Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Majlis Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Minister of Economy

The Iranian parliament, Majlis, has begun the impeachment proceedings against the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini. Mr. Hosseini is blamed for lax leadership in preventing the recent $2.8 billion bank embezzlement case, specifically his “failure to apply the rules related to the economy minister's duties with respect to banks and financial and monetary institutions” [Fars News Agency, 1 November].

Under the Iranian constitution, the Majlis can impeach an individual minister by a simple majority vote, in effect issuing a vote of no confidence in the minister. In today’s session, MPs opposed to the minister make their case, and then Mr. Hosseini defends his records before the vote on his impeachment. President Ahmadinejad is present in Majlis and has already delivered a speech defending his economic minister.

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