First Deputy Majlis Speaker Mohammad Hassan Aboutorabifard announced on Wednesday the cancellation of the receipt of an impeachment motion for the education minister by the Majlis Presiding Board citing the latest amendments to the parliamentary procedure. Second Deputy Majlis Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar had announced on Tuesday Ali Asghar Fani's impeachment was scheduled to be held next Wednesday with 64 lawmakers signing the motion, IRNA reported.
However, in yesterday's open session of parliament, Aboutorabifard declared "null and void" the receipt of the impeachment motion, saying due to new amendments, the motion in the first place will be sent to a specialized committee of the Majlis, namely the Education and Research Committee, for further examination. Therefore, the minister will not appear before parliament next week.
Fani should now attend several meetings of the Education and Research Committee to answer the lawmakers' inquiries on his performance, according to the deputy speaker. "Upon the termination of the committee's sessions, in case at least 10 lawmakers still insist on the impeachment, then the receipt of the motion will be acknowledged by the Majlis," he noted.
In related remarks, a secretary of the Majlis Presiding Board, Zargham Sadeqi, said the committee has seven days to examine the motion and hold meetings with the minister.
