Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a New Year meeting with various groups of people, Mohammad Reza Aref rejected the news announced by the Iranian newspaper Arman Daily that the majority of reformists agree on the current Speaker Ali Larijani maintaining his position in the Parliament as well as that a secret deal has been made between the two officials on Parliament seats.
“We need to allow experts and fractions to make the final decision after the new Parliament is formed,” noted Aref rejecting the raised issue.
In response to a question about a deal with Larijani on Parliament seats, the elected member of the Parliament said “I turn the news down since the only contact I have had with Mr. Larijani has been a congratulatory message on my victory which I received on the phone.”
The official further noted “currently, the second round of elections remains as the most important issue which needs to be well-organized for the people to have massive participation like the first round.”
“Once the Parliament is formed, its Speaker will be chosen as we believe that all fractions should be involved and participate in the management of the Iranian Parliament,” he continued.
Aref reiterated that members of the Parliament are the sole decision makers with regard to selecting heads of fractions as well as board of directors; “people raise personal opinions in the media while the MPs remain as the ultimate decision makers as the Speaker will be chosen with the vote of the 290 members.”
On competing with Ali Larijani over the presidency of the Parliament, Aref said political fractions will have volunteers and we hope that the board of directors will be chosen in a friendly atmosphere.
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