MPs Not Convinced by Iranian President’s Answers on Economic Problems
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian lawmakers on Tuesday were not convinced by President Hassan Rouhani’s explanations about the administration’s performance following the decline of the national currency’s value and controversial economic policies.
Rouhani attended an open session of the Parliament on Tuesday morning to answer five questions raised by the MPs on the recent economic problems of the country.
Following the president’s remarks, the parliamentarians conducted separate votes for each of the five questions, whose main topics included failing to curb smuggling, continuation of sanctions on Iran’s banks, unemployment rate, and economic recession.
According to the votes cast at the conclusion of the session, the parliamentarians did not find the president’s replies convincing, except for the one to the question about continuation of sanctions on the country’s banking sector.
According to the law, the questions will be referred to the country’s Judiciary to deal with the issue.
A group of lawmakers critical of the administration’s handling of the economic situation had summoned Rouhani to the Parliament.
The legislature has already impeached and sacked the labor and economy ministers.
Rouhani has come under pressure for poor handling of the economic situation that has resulted in a hike in the value of foreign currencies and diminishing purchasing power.
The Iranian money has plunged to a record low against the US dollar in recent weeks.
Foreign currency values began to rise in Iran after the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May and announced plans for a fresh wave of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
In comments on August 13, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the economic problems are not wholly caused by the foreign sanctions, but a series of internal issues and mismanagement are also to blame.
Making a reference to the hike in gold coin prices and devaluation of the Iranian money in recent weeks, the Leader said some of the problems are caused by imprudence and mismanagement, irrespective of sanctions.
Reiterating the need for serious fight against corruption, the Leader said the Islamic Republic takes a tough line against corruption without any reservation.
