Majlis Hearings on Ministerial Nominees Launched

The Iranian parliament began formal debates on President Ebrahim Raeisi’s proposed ministers on Saturday, starting with his nominee for the education ministry. 
Lawmakers will discuss the qualifications and plans of each of the 19 candidates in alphabetical order over a course which is expected to last until Tuesday.
Based on the Majlis procedure, after related parliamentary commissions present their assessments, two lawmakers speak for and two others against the ministers-to-be for 15 minutes each. 
The nominees will then have 30 minutes to defend their records and plans for the ministerial post.
Legislators will decide on giving votes of confidence to the candidates in an open session after the conclusion of confirmation hearings. 
Prior to the debates on Saturday, Raeisi took the podium for two and a half hours to defend his administration’s plans, as well as his cabinet picks.
Ten ministers then offered their views, with five speaking in favor and five against the new president’s master plans.
Raeisi said his popular administration will reduce its authoritative role and improve public participation, especially promoting the cooperation of the youth and elite who are the forerunners of change and reform.
He said all his programs have been devised to guarantee the realization of two major goals: justice and progress of the country. 
“Each of the programs of the government of justice and progress has been deeply studied and their overall outcome will be a boost in domestic production and the development of the country,” he said. 
To achieve the two goals, the president has planned major reforms and changes of approach which he briefly pointed out in his speech. 
Considering the problems facing the government, he added, an urgent and short-term plan has been devised, in addition to a middle-term and a long-term one which will be presented to the lawmakers soon. 
“The first priority of our government is to contain Covid-19, improve health conditions and accelerate public vaccination,” Raeisi said. 
Next on the agenda is economic stability, improving the business environment, enhancing people’s livelihood and addressing their financial problems, he said. 

Ministerial Picks 

He said the present situation is the result of tying the country’s economy to foreign powers’ demands, but all the problems can be addressed if there is a plan, efficient workforce and constant monitoring, according to the president. 
Referring to his cabinet picks, he said related expertise, commitment, and an anti-corruption character have been the main criteria of selection.  
The government’s reform document forms the basis of the proposed ministers’ plans, according to Raeisi, and involve fundamental principles such as promotion of the Iranian-Islamic culture, resistance economy, improvement of people’s livelihood especially the lower-income strata, expansion of international ties based on national interests, and being a source of inspiration for the Muslim world. 
He added that no special political party or group has been favored in his selections and competent individuals from all orientations have been picked. 
“We need colleagues that can facilitate finding a way out of the country’s current situation,” he said. 
Raeisi then presented a brief introduction of each of his ministerial nominees before the start of the confirmation hearings.