Iran’s Larijani reelected as parliament speaker

By Murat Karadag

ISTANBUL

Ali Larijani has been reelected as chairman of Iran’s Majlis (parliament), according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency.

In a Wednesday session of parliament, the MP for the city of Qom won the endorsement of 204 out of 268 lawmakers who cast ballots.

Larijani has served as Iranian parliamentary speaker since 2008.

Although he is generally seen as being close to Iran’s conservative political camp, Larijani has recently adopted positions on a number of issues considered by observers as moderate.

In 2015, for example, Larijani voiced support for a landmark nuclear deal with the western powers despite the objections of Iran’s conservative camp.

Wednesday’s parliamentary session also saw Masoud Pezeshkian and Ali Motahari both reelected as deputy assembly speakers.