Reuters, Tehran, Nov 4, 2008 (excerpts) – Iran’s parliament sacked the interior minister on Tuesday in a blow to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ahead of next year’s presidential election.
MPs voted overwhelmingly to remove Ali Kordan, whose job is crucial in organizing the 2009 race, accusing him of forging his degree from Britain’s Oxford University.
His impeachment was part of a power struggle between hardline backers of Ahmadinejad and his opponents including reformers and moderate conservatives who blame the government for the failing economy, political analysts said.
Analysts said the impeachment showed Ahmadinejad was losing popularity even among some of his hardline backers.
Ahmadinejad’s allies said the impeachment was politically motivated to weaken the president before next year’s vote, when Ahmadinejad is widely expected to run.
Ahmadinejad has been under fire because of surging inflation but analysts say much will depend on whether he can retain the support of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has praised the president’s work in recent speeches.
Under Iran’s Islamic Sharia law, presentation of false documents, especially in government service, is punishable by prison.