TEHRAN -- The Majlis on Wednesday discussed the amendment bill on the Islamic City Councils and ratified the article on the duties and responsibilities of the Islamic City Councils.

**MPs voiced their support of the Presidential Powers Bill in the pre-debate speeches on Wednesday, saying that ratification of the bill would clarify the role of the president.

**The Social Welfare Bill, which was recently presented to the Majlis by the administration, was discussed during a meeting between five MPs from the planning and budget, social, economic, and health commissions. MPs opposed to the bill believe that villagers, who make up 40 percent of the population, have been forgotten in the administration's bill.

**The Majlis Economic Commission discussed three economic and trade agreements with North Korea, Bulgaria and Ukraine.

The bill on the agreement reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Austria on avoiding income and capital tax was also put on the commission's agenda. Moreover, commission members decided to discuss the bill on the D-8 group countries' agreement on facilitating issuance of visas to businessmen in the near future.

**The women, youth and family committees of the Majlis Cultural Commission discussed the Mandatory Pre-Marriage Education Plan.

The plan is being presented with the aim of reducing the divorce rate, preventing domestic abuse, and familiarizing the youth with important marriage issues.