Thread: Minister’s Dismissal Is Setback for Iranian Leader

TEHRAN — The Iranian Parliament voted Tuesday to dismiss a top government minister, another setback for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad eight months before he faces a presidential election.

Parliament dismissed the interior minister, Ali Kordan, on charges of dishonesty and lying about a fake honorary doctorate he said he had received from Oxford. Of the 247 members present, 188 voted to fire Mr. Kordan, while only 45 voted against dismissal. Fourteen members abstained.

Analysts said the vote underlined the assertiveness of Parliament amid a growing economic crisis. Inflation is running at 30 percent, and falling oil prices — Iran has the third largest known oil reserves in the world — are undermining the government’s budget. The impeachment suggested that Mr. Ahmadinejad could be losing many political allies before the presidential vote next June.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/wo...html?th&emc=th
[Honorary degree from Oxford - it came with his loafers, right? Looks like Ahmadinejad is going to be busy trying to secure his failing base.]