President Proposes Cabinet for 2nd Term

President Mohammad Khatami announced the proposed Cabinet for his second term, a conventional, moderate group of 20 men that disappointed supporters who had hoped for more outspoken reformers and Iran’s first female Cabinet minister.

Khatami was criticized in his first term for seating too many moderate conservatives on his Cabinet. Some did not strongly support his political and economic reforms, and the panel was often at odds with itself.

Many reformers and top Khatami advisors had promised a major shake-up after his June reelection. But the panel proposed Sunday has only five new faces. Parliament must ratify the appointments and will begin debating them next week.