Pezeshkian in Parliament to Defend His Proposed Cabinet

Last week, the Iranian lawmakers started debates on the credentials and backgrounds of 19 individuals on the shortlist for the cabinet of Pezeshkian, with the formal sessions on votes of confidence slated for Wednesday, August 21.

Addressing the parliamentary session this morning, Pezeshkian highlighted the opportunity for “hope and consensus” about rising to the challenges ahead.

Describing his proposed cabinet as the “administration of national consensus”, the president said the administration belongs to all Iranians and is committed to fulfilling the citizenship rights of all people by giving priority to the national interests.

Deploring injustice in the economic, social and political sectors of the country, Pezeshkian said the Iranians have faith in the capabilities of the country and the Revolution.

The president has two hours and a half to address the Parliament in defense of his picks.

Pezeshkian submitted the list of his proposed ministerial picks to the Parliament for a vote of confidence on August 11, 12 days after his swearing-in ceremony.

If any of the proposed ministers fails to win a vote of confidence, the president will have up to three months to name a replacement.

After the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19, Pezeshkian became one of six final candidates singled out by the Constitutional Council from 80 applicants seeking the presidency.

He won the highest number of votes in the first round of the presidential election on June 28 and faced off the runner-up, Saeed Jalili, in the runoff election on July 5.

The physician-turned-politician won the runoff by garnering 53.66% of the votes.

His new administration, the 14th after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, holds office for four years.