Iranian Parliament Session Tense Over Controversial Candidates

The Iranian parliament's public session to review the credentials of new representatives turned tense due to controversy surrounding several candidates.

According to Iranian news agencies, a key source of tension arose during the review of Gholamreza Tajgardoun's credentials. 

Tajgardoun, who represented the Gachsaran and Bashet constituencies, was disqualified from the previous parliament due to financial allegations. 

🎥 صبح امروز نمایندگان بر سر اعتبارنامه غلامرضا تاج‌گردون نماینده گچساران و باشت در صحن علنی مجلس درگیر شدند.
برخی نمایندگان خواستار این بودند که اعتبارنامه نمایندگان در صحن علنی مجلس به رای گذاشته شود اما محمد باقر قالیباف که دوباره روی کرسی ریاست مجلس نشسته مخالفت کرده و گفته… pic.twitter.com/WjUGQuifs8

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) May 30, 2024

However, he became eligible to run in the new term.

In 2019, Tajgardoun faced accusations of corruption and "nepotism" from several representatives. 

A vote on the charges resulted in 102 against, 128 for, and 21 abstentions, leading to his disqualification.

The new parliament session on Thursday witnessed a verbal altercation between Tehran representative Malek Shariati and Tajgardoun regarding the credentials. 

Supporters on both sides reportedly engaged in pushing and shoving.

IRNA reported that the two representatives avoided physical contact but used gestures to establish a divide between them.

Despite the tensions, both Tajgardoun and Shariati received approval for their credentials.

Before the session, Shariati shared a protest letter on his X account, signed by himself and six other representatives, demanding Tajgardoun's disqualification.

The credential review process concluded with the approval of all 290 representatives by the end of the session.