Iran’s Parliament (Majlis) has started the impeachment of Education Minister Ali-Asghar Fani.
Fani appeared on Parliament floor on Wednesday to respond to lawmakers’ questions.
The open session is attended by 256 legislators and chaired by the Parliament's First Vice Speaker, Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi-Fard.
The impeachment proceeding against Fani was approved with 64 signatures last week after MPs started their push for his impeachment with 49 signatures.
A number of lawmakers later withdrew their signatures from the impeachment motion, but the MPs decided to go ahead with the procedure as the number of the remaining signatures did not drop below ten, which is the minimum number of votes required for impeachment.
Fani is accused of failing to urge the administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to provide schools with necessary resources and to expand educational space in deprived areas.
He is also under fire for failing to adopt practical measures to enrich and promote the efficiency and quality of educational programs.
Under the Iranian 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 on parliament floor within ten days after the submission of the impeachment motion to answer the questions raised by legislators, give explanation on his performance and seek a vote of confidence.
The Iranian president can also attend the session to defend his minister.
AR/NN/GHN