Leader: Economic Reforms a Top Priority of New Majlis

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said improving the core elements of the national economy, including employment, production, value of national currency and inflation, are the top priorities of the new parliament.
In a speech read out by his representative at the opening ceremony of the Majlis, the Leader also called on the new lawmakers to pursue the general policies of resistance economy, Leader.ir reported. 
"In addition to the major economic problems, we have not earned a favorable score in terms of justice and this unwanted reality must compel everyone to make greater efforts toward [securing] the livelihood of the poorer strata," he said. 
Ayatollah Khamenei also advised the parliament to pay special attention to reducing the key role of crude oil in the government's financial resources to improve the country's general economic policies. 
He described law as the pathway to the country's development goals, stressing that the Majlis is responsible for clearing this vital path. 
"If a law is correct, adequate and practical, and is properly used, the country will achieve its ambitious goals," he said. 
The Leader pointed out that the Majlis can be a source of hope for the people and support for the executive authorities, if lawmakers fulfill their duties actively and with "rectitude and fidelity", as well as proper knowledge of the country's conditions and priorities. 
He also offered general advice to new members of the parliament, saying that following those directions would prove to the people that their choices were correct and consequently increase their motivation to take part in elections. 

  Union and Victory  President Hassan Rouhani also gave a speech at the opening ceremony. 
He stressed the importance of Majlis as the symbol of religious democracy in Iran, saying his administration is ready to work alongside the parliament within the framework of the constitution to achieve the long-terms goals of the country, IRNA reported. 
"Giving preference to national interests over the interests of one party or constituency would be the basis of cooperation between the government and Majlis," he said.  
He added that the government expects the new legislature to join hands to create a period of "union and victory" and solve the country's problems. 
"The government and parliament can cooperate in many ways, but the best way involves goods bills from the government and their review and approval by the Majlis," he said, hoping such cooperation would materialize in the final year of his term. 
Rouhani said his administration seeks relations with the parliament through which it can successfully manage the country's affairs in this very difficult year, as the country faces both hostile American sanctions and a deadly coronavirus pandemic. 

  Speaker’s Election  The new parliament elected in February held its first session on Wednesday with fewer than usual attendants due to the spread of the viral disease.  The opening ceremony was administered by the interim presiding board made up of the oldest and youngest members of parliament.  At the end of the session, lawmakers voted in favor of holding the second session on Thursday to elect the permanent presiding board and candidates submitted their request to the interim board.  Based on reports, four members of parliament have so far volunteered for the post of Majlis speaker, including Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Mostafa Mirsalim, Hamidreza Haji-Babaei and Fereydoun Abbasi.  Qalibaf was the mayor of Tehran for 12 years and has also served at the Expediency Council. He was a candidate in the previous presidential election in 2017.  Mirsalim served as culture minister in the 1990s and ran for presidency in the 2017 elections.  Haji-Babaei was an education minister in the 2000s and was a member of parliament for five terms. Abbasi was the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran for four years.