Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 29
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
The Iranian parliament has rejected Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi's candidacy, nominated by Iran 's President Hassan Rouhani for the post of Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Iranian state IRINN TV reported Oct. 29.
Some 79 MPs voted for Nili Ahmadabadi, while 160 MPs voted against, and 7 MPs were neutral.
The Iranian president Hassan Rouhani attended the open session of the parliament to defend his nominee.
Rouhani asked the MPs to vote for Nili Ahmadabadi and let the universities benefit from the necessary consistency and long-term planning as soon as possible, after
Iranian Parliament dismissed former minister of science, research and technology, Reza Faraji Dana on Aug.20.
The MPs' chief demand was reportedly the re-expulsion of students who had been marked for their political activity under the former administration and banned from continuing their education. They also have called for the expulsion of persons who involved in the 2009 protests against the disputed presidential elections.
Rouhani then appointed Mohammad Ali Najafi, a reformist politician as the caretaker for the ministry of Science, Research and Technology.
On Oct. 22, Rouhani introduced Nili Ahmadabadi to parliament.
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi, Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs Majid Ansari, Minister of Culture Ali Jannati, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian, Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Minister of Health and Medical Education Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi also accompanied the president in the parliament session.