First Session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Concludes for 'Qualification Review' of Proposed Ministers; Pezeshkian: Consultations Were Conducted at a High Level

The first public session of the Islamic Republic's parliament for granting confidence to the proposed cabinet of Masoud Pezeshkian was held on Saturday, August 18. In this session, Pezeshkian defended his proposed ministers and emphasized the necessity of public satisfaction and the fight against corruption. He described his government as a 'national unity government' and urged representatives to grant confidence to all cabinet members. He has repeatedly called for the parliament's confidence vote for his list of ministers in recent days, stating, 'Consultations have been conducted at a high level, and we did not come here without consultation.' He also stressed that 'the government should be a means of service, and public dissatisfaction is with us, not America.' During this session, several representatives criticized the lack of specific programs and the absence of minorities in the cabinet. Mohammad Qasim Othmani, a representative from Boukan, protested the absence of Sunni members in the cabinet, stating that this absence contradicts the slogan of national unity. Other representatives also expressed dissatisfaction with the cabinet composition and proposed programs. In his speech, Pezeshkian emphasized the implementation of the vision document and the general policies of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, considering 'coordination between the branches' as a strength of his government. He had previously stated during the presidential campaign on June 20, 'Anything that does not align with the Supreme Leader's general policies is a red line.' He also mentioned that the Supreme Leader has instructed the institutions under his command to cooperate with the government. In his speeches in parliament, Pezeshkian, as in the past, did not address the livelihood problems of the people, the irregular power and water outages in homes and industrial units this summer, or the protests of teachers, workers, and nurses. At the end of the session, it was decided that the final vote for the proposed ministers would be held on Wednesday, August 23. Pezeshkian's parliamentary deputy has been imprisoned as an economic corruptor; part of the program on the last page. Reza Alijani: The cabinet composition shows that Pezeshkian is obedient. Radan: The Noor plan is law, and Pezeshkian is very interested in enforcing the law. The review of the proposed ministers' programs in the Islamic Consultative Assembly has begun. The indifference and chatter of parliament members during Masoud Pezeshkian's speech. Exclusive: Voice of America interview with Pouran Nazemi, former political prisoner: Pezeshkian is appointed by the clerics. Pezeshkian's cabinet: a 'national unity' cabinet or a cabinet of elderly individuals with ideological and military intelligence backgrounds. The last page: Let’s get to know Masoud Pezeshkian and his Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Danyamali, better. The review of the proposed ministers' programs in parliament has begun; Pezeshkian states that the government will remain loyal to Khamenei's policies. Radan announced the continuation of the implementation of the 'Noor plan' in Pezeshkian's government.