The Iranian Parliament has approved the Rohani administration’s choices for the top postings at the Education and Science ministries but Parliament has rejected the candidate proposed for the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Ali Asghar Fani was approved for the Ministry of Education by a a vote of 185 -153 with 24 abstaining.
Reza Faraja Dana was voted in as Minister of Education, capturing 159 of 261 ballots cast. Seventy MPs voted against him and 32 abstained.
The proposed minister of youth and sports, Reza Salehi Amiri, failed to gain the confidence of Parliament, with 141 voting against him and 107 in favor.
Hassan Rohani’s first choices for these three ministries were voted down two months ago. Islamic Republic hardliners appear to be showing serious resistance to having progressive candidates in the ministries deal with the country’s younger population.
