IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday described impeachment as the right of MPs as well an opportunity to explain the government's services.


He made the remarks in a Cabinet session late Sunday after Majlis decided to impeach Minister of Road and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi, Minister of Cooperative, Labor and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei and Minister of Agricultural Jihad Mahmoud Hojjati.

The Chief Executive hoped that the MPs will use their right in line with national interests and the country’s expediency.

Expressing his administration’s decisive support for the three ministers, he called on them to prepare a clear report on their services to present to the MPs.

Recalling that the vote of confidence given by the Majlis to the same ministers six months ago, Rouhani said that it is a short time for Majlis deputies to doubt their confidence in the three ministers.

Under the Constitution, lawmakers can impeach a minister when they deem it necessary. An impeachment motion can be submitted when it has at least ten signatures.

The minister must appear in parliament within 10 days of the submission of the motion to answer questions raised by legislators, give explanation about his or her performance and seek a vote of confidence again.

The decision to impeach Akhoundi came after several plane crashes and train accidents, as the MPs accuse him of being weak in dealing with the issues facing the transport system and inadequate supervision over the air and train fleet that has led to the death of a large number of passengers.

The two other ministers will face impeachment due to what the MPs call as their incompetence in handling the affairs of the ministries and failure to improve the situation.