93 MPs sign motion to question president

(MNA) – So far 93 lawmakers have signed a petition to question President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over his remarks about the foreign exchange market, the Mehr news agency has learnt.

The sharp rise in the value of foreign currencies against the national currency, rial, in recent days has sent shockwaves in commodity prices.

Constitutionally 74 signatures are needed to summon president to Majlis.

Last week the motion was signed by 60 MPs and until the weekend it gathered more signatures, reaching the necessary threshold to question the president, an MP said on condition of anonymity.

However, the MP told the Mehr News Agency that architects behind the petition seek more than 100 signatures so that if some legislators withdrew their signatures under pressure there would still be enough votes to present the petition to the Majlis Presiding Board.

He said the number of MPs willing to sign the petition is on the rise and one of the reasons behind such a move is the president’s remarks last week about the turmoil in the foreign currency market.

He added the petition may be submitted to the presiding board on Wednesday.