With the clock ticking fast and expectations running high in advance of the new cabinet, all those who deem themselves as stakeholders are bidding for a chunk of the next government. Among the various and often irrational claims made during the past few days, one particular demand from the president, apart from being illogical and absurd, carries a very dangerous precedent in its implication. There are reports that some MPs have asked the president to reserve a seat in the government for their fellow ethnic or tribal associates. Undoubtedly, the honorable deputies have done so as a publicity stunt aimed at increasing their electoral support back home. But unfortunately, they have overlooked the sort of dangerous sentiments that they are hence promoting.

Throughout Iran's long history, our countrymen from all sects and ethnic backgrounds have always identified themselves primarily as Iranian citizens. Even today that many Iranians are scattered across the globe, whenever one meets a compatriot, it is the bond of sharing a common nationality that brings them together rather than any other factor such as ethnicity or tribal affinity.

Furthermore, it is common sense that a cabinet member or any other official should be appointed based on his or her abilities, expertise and talents. Race, ethnicity or place of birth are by no means the criteria for appointing someone to a job.

And, if people were (as they sometimes are) appointed based on such criteria, where would it lead. Well, first of all, the number of cabinet members would have to be increased astronomically to accommodate a representative from all the towns, villages, provincial capitals and races. The figure could easily reach several hundred.

It seems that common sense being a divine gift is not granted to everyone. The dire effects of this deficiency become especially evident when the senseless person is a people's representative serving as a deputy in Parliament.

It is sincerely hoped that this unwise and irrational proposal was simply made due to regional sentimentality only and without any prior rational reasoning about its consequences. The implication of the outcome of the proposal, if it should be construed to mean propagation and encouragement of regionalism and ethnic separation, is so vast in its interpretation, that it borders on sedition and treason.

The president has a full time job trying to choose a cabinet from amongst the available experts, managers, specialists and technocrats. Irresponsible suggestions and illogical claims and fanatical designations are no help to the president and can become even a deterrent to his freedom of action and choice.