0650 GMT: On Sunday, in an unexpected step, the Parliament began consideration of a petition by 77 MPs to question President Ahmadinejad. If the initiative is approved, Ahmadinejad will have a month to address challenges about the Government's handling of the economy, imports, and the curreny crisis.
Iranian media add detail that brings out the complexity and possible intensity of the fight. Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani put forth the caution that he has not received "any order from the Supreme Leader of the Revolution concerning this issue". That indicates that Ayatollah Khamenei's camp could still intervene, as it did last month over a petition by 102 MPs, to block the interrogation.
Significantly, however, this was not enough for pro-Ahmadinejad MPs who believe that those pursuing the interrogation have overriden Khamenei or at least brought his silence. Ahmadinejad loyalist Mehdi Kouchakzadeh said, "The Leader is not inclined towards a questioning session in present circumstances. Had the decision been the Supreme Leader of the Revolution's, he would have decided against it." Kouchakzadeh then threatened to leave the Parliament building if questioning was "imposed" on Ahmadinejad.
Larijani's response was telling, both in its indication that the Supreme Leader has not made a decision about the interrogation and in its challenge to the pro-Ahmadinejad group:
You can't say that the Leader said that....You have your opinion and others have other views... If the gentlemen desire to leave the session, it would not be the right thing to do....You receive salary to be present here. You can't use such pretexts to leave. This is wrong, and I am telling you: If anyone leaves the building unauthorized he has committed a mistake.
And then the President's supporters put down their own marker. Kouchakzadeh and 18 other MPs left the chamber.
(Hat tip: Iran Tracker)
Posted via email from lissping
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