Iran’s complex political infrastructure has several centres of power, writes MARY FITZGERALD in Iran
IN HIS address to those gathered for Friday prayers at Tehran University yesterday, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that last week’s disputed presidential election showed “religious democracy for the whole world to see”. So what is this system of “religious democracy” that is unique to Iran?
After the 1979 revolution brought the Islamic Republic into being, Iran’s new constitution set out a hybrid political system which blends elements of democracy with unelected clerical leadership. This springs from the concept of velayat-e-faqih – meaning rule of the Islamic jurist – which was developed by Ayatollah Khomeini.
The resulting mix of appointed and directly-elected state institutions means Iran’s political infrastructure is a complex one, with several centres of power ensuring that it is not quite a theocracy, but not a full democracy either.
The supreme leader is the highest ranking political and religious authority in the country.
As stated in the Iranian constitution, he should be “a religious scholar, having a proper political and social perspective, resourceful, just, pious and courageous and having adequate capability for leadership”.
The supreme leader sets the contours of domestic and foreign policy, and has the final say in crucial issues, such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has held the position of supreme leader since 1989, when he succeeded Ayatollah Khomeini. The position of supreme leader is for life, unless he is dismissed.
The only institution with the power to impeach the supreme leader is the Assembly of Experts, although this has never been done. It is comprised of 86 religious scholars who gain their position through a popular election held every eight years.
The Assembly of Experts elects the supreme leader and meets twice annually to review his performance. It is currently chaired by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president and bitter enemy of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
As supreme leader, Khamenei is responsible for appointing people such as the commanders of the armed forces, chief judges, and prosecutors, as well as six of the Islamic theologians who sit on the 12-man Guardian Council. The other members of the council are Islamic jurists. They are nominated by the judiciary and approved by the Majlis – the 290-strong publicly-elected Iranian parliament.
The role of the Guardian Council is very significant when it comes to determining the course of politics within the country. Its members have the authority to veto parliamentary decisions to ensure that legislation adheres to sharia law and complies with the constitution.
The Guardian Council also vets all prospective candidates for the presidency and parliament to ensure they are committed to the ideals and values of the Islamic Republic.
This year only four out of more than 400 people – including several women – who applied to run for the presidency actually passed this ideological and political litmus test. They were the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, his main challenger Mir Hussein Mousavi, former parliamentary speaker Mehdi Karroubi, and Mohsen Rezaie, once a commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
The president, elected in a popular vote, is subordinate to the supreme leader and oversees economic policy and the daily management of national affairs.
The president can sign agreements with foreign governments and approve ambassadorial appointments. He also heads the Supreme National Security Council, which co-ordinates defence and security policy.
Presidential terms in Iran last for four years. A sitting president can hold no more than two consecutive terms in office.
The Expediency Council, whose members are elected by the supreme leader, was established the late 1980s. Its purpose is to adjudicate in disputes between the Guardian Council and the Majlis. The Expediency Council also advises the supreme leader regarding possible amendments to the constitution.