Middle East Online reports top Iranian lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to some of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's proposed ministers on the second day of a debate on his controversial cabinet line-up.Parliament is due to hold a vote of confidence on the 21-member cabinet on Wednesday but the hawkish Ahmadinejad is battling to win support even from conservative MPs.
Lawmakers also openly objected to one of the three women Ahmadinejad has picked, on grounds that they lack of experience.
Education minister-designate Sousan Keshvaraz, dressed in a black chador, sought to win the support from a hostile parliament by showcasing her credentials and her plans for the post.
But parliament's education commission chief Ali Abbaspour, strongly opposed her candidacy.
"If Keshavarz gets the vote, then we have no choice but to impeach her," he warned. "She has only a year's experience... and is talking of the same programmes outlined by previous ministers. The president has to nominate a strong minister."
The other two women nominees, Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi at the health ministry and Fatemeh Ajorlou at welfare and social security, also lack ministerial experience and have come under fire from MPs.
Ahmadinejad's nominations for interior minister -- current defence minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar -- and oil minister -- current commerce minister Masoud Mirkazemi, have also met with stiff opposition.
Published by Mike Hitchen,
Putting principles before profits
Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Gender Issues Sousan Keshvaraz Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi
Fatemeh Ajorlou
Putting principles before profits
Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Gender Issues Sousan Keshvaraz Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi
Fatemeh Ajorlou
