Majlis rejects fourth nominee for science minister

Tehran, Nov 18, IRNA – Majlis (parliament) in an open session on Tuesday turned down President Hassan Rouhani's fourth nominee to head Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. The session was held in the presence of President Hassan Rouhani during which he urged the lawmakers to support his nominee. It was attended by 254 lawmakers and chaired by Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani. Fakhreddin Ahmadi Danesh-Ashtiani failed to obtain a vote of confidence when 171 lawmakers voted against him, 70 voted in favor, and 13 abstained. Danesh-Ashtiani needed half plus one of the votes to become science minister. President Rouhani nominated Danesh-Ashtiani as the new minister of Science, Research and Technology two weeks ago. Majlis on October 29 turned down President Rouhani's third nominee for the post. Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi failed to obtain a vote of confidence as 160 lawmakers voted against his appointment. On October 22, President Rouhani introduced Nili Ahmadabadi to Majlis as his proposed minister of Science, Research and Technology after dismissal of Reza Faraji-Dana in August./end