Iran’s New Parliament Tries to Address Economic Problems: Reformist MPs

Azerbaijan, Baku, 10 May/ corr. Trend D. Khatinoglu/ The solution of economic problems that have emerged for the last 18 years, increasing employment of the population and exercising strong control over the public budget are priorities of the new parliament of Iran. " Iran's new parliament will mainly focus on solution of the economic problems," Elaheh Koolaee, the member of the Central Council of Mushakiret Party said to Trend .

The level of inflation in Iran reached its highest point, according to report of the Central Bank, it totaled to 19.6% in the beginning of May. The high inflation rate is attributed to the fact that the government has spent $135bln on the domestic market from the surplus fund. According to expert, high inflation rate can lead to the economic crisis in the country. At present, the issues raised by the Iranian MPs are issues connected with the high inflation and employment.

"The previous parliament had a weak control over the economic plans of the government, took insufficient measures against financial violations, and was negligent of the economic policy of the government," Koolaee said on a telephone from Tehran.

According to Koolaee, during Mahmud Ahmadinejad's presidency the Government repeatedly spent big sums from the surplus fund on the domestic market without the permission of the Parliament which, in the long run, led to the rise in the inflation rate.

"I believe that the current parliament will not act as the protector of the Government, but as its controller and will prevent illegal moves," said Koolaee.

"Though the ruling party made up majority in both previous and current parliaments, neither Milli Majlis nor ruling party (the coalition of Usulqara) could fulfill the demand of the population," Mahrengiz Muruvatti, the other MP of the Parliament said.

According to Muruvatti, most of the Iranian MPs support Government while, in fact, they should support the population and win its confidence. "The inflation and poverty in Iran caused crisis among the population and people are demanding MPs they have elected to take measures. However, the success of the 'reformists' even under such undemocratic elections showed that the population trust them," Muruvatti said to Trend on a telephone from Tehran.

According to Muruvatti, the independent MPs, joining their 'reformist' colleagues, will increase control over the economic policy of the Government and will make efforts so that the economic plans would be carried out in a more disciplined and legal manner.

At the late April, the Interior Ministry of Iran published final results of the two-stage parliament elections held on 14 March and 26 April. According to official data, the ruling party - Coalition of Usulqara made up majority in the parliament (71%). "Reformist" parties could win 20% of the seats in the Milli Majlis. The remaining 9% accounts for the independent MPs.

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