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.
Source: Tasnim