President introduces fifth ministry candidate

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani introduced a new candidate for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology to parliament on 19 November, the Islamic Republic’s ISNA news agency reported, writes Umid Niayesh for Trend.

Rouhani introduced Mohammad Farhadi as his nominee for the ministerial post. Farhadi, who currently heads Iran's Red Crescent Society, served as minister of health and medical education during ex-president Mohammad Khatami's administration (1997-2001) and minister of science in the cabinet of former prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi (1985-89). Within 10 days, the parliament must make a decision regarding the nominee.

Farhadi is Rouhani’s fifth nominee for the post. On 18 November parliament rejected Fakhredin Ahmadi Danesh Ashtiani. Former nominee Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi was rejected on 29 October. Parliament dismissed former minister of science, research and technology, Reza Faraji Dana, on 20 August. Rouhani then appointed Mohammad Ali Najafi, a reformist politician, as caretaker for the ministry.
Full report on the Trend site