Iran's Newly Elected Parliament Convenes For Fist Time Amid Pandemic

TEHRAN (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2020) Iran's newly elected parliament, dominated by the conservatives, was sworn in a ceremony broadcast by state television on Wednesday.

In February elections, which were held on the onset of the coronavirus epidemic, conservatives � who are considered opponents of moderate President Hassan Rouhani � won by a landslide, securing over 200 seats in the 290-strong legislature.

The lawmakers have yet to elect members of the presidium and the speaker. Until then, the parliament will be governed by a presidium consisting of the two oldest and two youngest lawmakers. Ali Larijani, who was the speaker from 2008, did not run in the February elections, preferring to return to teaching at university.

During the opening ceremony, an address of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was read out. President Rouhani also delivered a speech, promising to cooperate with the parliament.

The legislature convenes as the nation continues battling the coronavirus. The runoffs are yet to be held in several regions across the country. Two newly elected lawmakers who contracted the virus have died.