Iran

Ahmadinejad Proposes Women for Cabinet

Surprising move for conservative Islamic state.

And now he decides to play nice: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced plans today to propose at least three female ministers for his new cabinet, but also blamed the West for stoking political unrest after Iran’s disputed election in June. Ahmadinejad has until Wednesday to submit his new cabinet to parliament, although it’s likely to be met with much opposition, as conservatives will resist his attempts to garner support among women, and most moderates still see his election as illegitimate. Should any be approved for cabinet positions, it would be the first time a woman held a ministerial position in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Two women mentioned by the president for the positions include a conservative lawmaker for the post of social-welfare minster and a former member of parliament as health minister. Meanwhile, the mass trial of protesters was expanded to include 25 new defendents, despite widespread international condemnation.