Iranian Parliament Votes No Confidence in Economic Minister Hemmati

The Iranian Parliament voted to remove Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati after he failed to secure a vote of confidence, primarily due to concerns over the national currency’s devaluation. The president defended Hemmati during the impeachment inquiry, stating that replacing a minister would not solve underlying issues.

On March 2, 2023, the Iranian Parliament removed Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Abdolnaser Hemmati from his position after failing to secure a vote of confidence. The vote resulted in 182 members endorsing the motion, while 89 opposed it, with one abstention and one invalid vote, out of a total of 273 cast.

This decision followed an impeachment inquiry prompted by concerns over the significant devaluation of Iran’s national currency. Member of Parliament Jabbar Kouchakinejad, representing Rasht, highlighted that Hemmati’s inability to respond effectively to lawmakers’ concerns about his ministry’s performance led to his dismissal.

President Masoud Pezeshkian attended the impeachment session to support Minister Hemmati, reiterating that simply replacing a minister would not lead to substantial improvements in the economic situation. Under Iranian law, ministers may be impeached by Parliament when deemed necessary, requiring a minimum of ten signatures to submit a motion.

The Iranian Parliament’s no-confidence vote against Minister Hemmati underscores the growing frustrations regarding the country’s economic management, particularly in light of the national currency’s devaluation. Despite presidential support, the majority decision reflects a critical stance towards the current economic leadership in Iran.

Original Source: en.mehrnews.com