Iranian president Hassan Rouhani nominated a woman as vice president in his new cabinet, Fars News Agency reported on Monday. If lawmakers approve the nomination, Elham Aminzadeh will serve as Vice President for Legal Affairs.
According to the report, Rouhani cited Aminzadeh's "scientific competence and judicial qualifications as well as legislative experience and moral merits" as reasons for his pick.
Little is known about Aminzadeh, a professor at Tehran University. Bloomberg notes she is a former member of parliament and holds a doctorate in international law from the University of Glasgow.
The Iranian parliament is expected to vote on Rouhani's nominations on Wednesday. "Your vote of confidence in the ministers is not just a vote for the individuals, it is a vote for the whole government and its plans," Rouhani told legislators, according to Reuters.
The news service reports Rouhani's selection for the cabinet largely consists of technocrats who previously worked in the administration of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami.
Hassan Rouhani replaced former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after securing a large victory in the June elections. The former nuclear negotiator and his new cabinet are expected to focus on the economy and adopt a more conciliatory course with the West.