October 14, 2022
Surprisingly, in the middle of the anti-regime disorders, the Majlis has rejected President Raisi’s nominee for minister of labor. While Mohammad-Hadi Zahedi-Vafa (photo) lost by only a single vote, the defeat at such a time appeared to many to be a vote of no-confidence in Raisi, who had spoken to the Majlis just before the vote beseeching support for Zahedi-Vafa. Ironically, Zahedi-Vafa won the votes of 136 deputies, more than the 125 voted who against him. But in Iran, unlike in other countries, abstentions are counted as votes in opposition and ballots that are invalidated are also counted as no votes. On the Zahedi-Vafa vote, there were nine abstentions and two invalid ballots. That meant Zahedi-Vafa was recorded as receiving the support of 136 deputies and the opposition of 136 deputies. And a resolution fails on a tie vote. Zahedi-Vafa holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Ottawa.
