Iran’s Science Minister Dismissed by Parliament


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian Minister of Science, Researches and Technology Reza Faraji-Dana failed to win the Parliament’s confidence vote at an impeachment session on Wednesday.

Of the total of 270 votes, 145 legislators voted against Faraji-Dana, resulting in his dismissal from the post.

The impeachment proceeding against Faraji-Dana was approved at a parliament’s open session earlier this month with 51 signatories.

The outgoing minster was accused by the critics of politicizing the academic environment.

Under the Iranian Constitution, lawmakers can impeach an individual minister when they deem it necessary. An impeachment motion can be submitted when it has at least ten signatures.

In October 2013, the parliament granted a vote of confidence to Faraji-Dana after the lawmakers refused to approve the qualifications of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s initial nominee for the position.