Iran President Appoints Acting Science Minister
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday named a caretaker to lead the Ministry of Science, Researches and Technology after the country’s Parliament voted out the former minister, Reza Faraji-Dana.
In a decree issued only hours after the parliamentarians dismissed Faraji-Dana at an impeachment proceeding, President Rouhani appointed Mohammad Ali Najafi as the acting minister of science.
Najafi used to serve as a vice-president and director of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization. He resigned from the post on January 29 after being at the helm of the organization for about 5 months.
He now replaces Faraji-Dana, who failed to win the Parliament’s confidence vote today. Of the total of 270 votes, 145 legislators voted against Faraji-Dana, resulting in his dismissal from the post.
In the meantime, President Rouhani decided to appoint Faraji-Dana as his “advisor for the scientific and educational affairs.”
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.
