By Ladane Nasseri
Iranian lawmakers rejected the outline of a budget proposed by President Hassan Rouhani, which was to include another round of unpopular subsidy cuts for the next fiscal year.
The budget framework was defeated Sunday by a vote of 120 to 83, with nine abstentions, state-run Mehr news agency reported. It did not report the objections, though it said some legislators cited a lack of attention to teachers’ living conditions.
Rouhani, who submitted the draft budget to parliament in November, had planned to reduce energy subsidies and strip cash handouts from millions who had received them after an earlier round of subsidy cuts. With protests against economic conditions erupting in several cities and towns in late December, such changes are now particularly sensitive.
Special parliamentary committees will review suggestions put forth by lawmakers, Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani said. Parliament will debate the budget outline for the Iranian year starting March 21st again next week, he said.