Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has appointed caretakers for the ministries of industry and social affairs in a move that has been interpreted as acquiescence to parliamentary demands.
In recent days, Ahmadinejad has been in a dispute with the Iranian Parliament over the government’s plans to reduce the number of ministries.
Last month, Ahmadinejad dismissed his Minister of Intelligence but was forced to take him back after a bitter showdown with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
Sensing his vulnerability, Ahmadinejad’s rivals in Parliament have struck back hard, accusing him of breaking the law by failing to consult Parliament every step of the way in the ministry mergers.
Ahmadinejad has tried to resist Parliament’s demands, but after the powerful Guardian Council voted against him, the president appears to have backed down and agreed to cooperate.
Parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani announced yesterday that the disputes have been put to rest after a meeting between himself, the Supreme Leader and the president. Larijani maintained that the duties of each governing body have been clarified and the president has agreed to consult with Parliament on the appointment of ministers for the merged ministries.
