Iranian Government Institutions

Elections Citizens over 18 may vote (raised from 15 in 2007) Citizens over 18 may vote (raised from 15 in 2007) National elections held for the following: National elections held for the following: –Assembly of Religious Experts –Representatives to the Majlis –President Elections to Majlis and President are by plurality, winner-take-all Elections to Majlis and President are by plurality, winner-take-all –Elections are done over two rounds –First round narrows field down to 2 candidates, then winner-take-all election

Government Institutions Jurist’s Guardianship Jurist’s Guardianship Supreme Leader Supreme Leader Guardian Council Guardian Council Assembly of Religious Experts Assembly of Religious Experts Expediency Council Expediency Council President & Cabinet President & Cabinet Majlis Majlis Judicial Branch Judicial Branch Military Military

Velayat-e faqih (Jurist’s guardianship) The principle instituted by Khomeini of overarching authority for different government institutions: The principle instituted by Khomeini of overarching authority for different government institutions: –Supreme Leader –Guardian Council –Assembly of Religious Experts –Expediency Council This authority is based on their ability to understand shari’a and Islamic theology This authority is based on their ability to understand shari’a and Islamic theology

Supreme Leader Position created for Khomeini, currently held by Ali Khameini Position created for Khomeini, currently held by Ali Khameini Powers of Supreme Leader: Powers of Supreme Leader: –Elimination of presidential candidates –Dismissal of the president –Command armed forces –Declare war –Appointment/removal of major administrators and judges –Nominate six members of Guardian Council –Appoint many non-governmental directors, such as radio/TV and semi-public foundations Responsibilities of Supreme Leader: Responsibilities of Supreme Leader: –faqih – he is the leading Islamic jurist to interpret shari’a and religious documents –Links three branches of government together

Guardian Council 12 members 12 members All Male All Male 6 members appointed by Supreme Leader (ulema) 6 members appointed by Supreme Leader (ulema) 6 members nominated by chief judge, approved by Majlis 6 members nominated by chief judge, approved by Majlis Responsibilities Responsibilities Represent theocratic principles within the government Represent theocratic principles within the government Review bills passed by Majlis to ensure they conform with shari’a Review bills passed by Majlis to ensure they conform with shari’a –Guardian Council and Supreme Leader together exercise principle of jurist’s guardianship (Make sure all democratic bodies adhere to Islamic laws & beliefs) Power to decide who can compete in elections Power to decide who can compete in elections –In 2004 & 2005 disqualified thousands of candidates for both Majlis and presidential elections

Assembly of Religious Experts Expanded in 1989 to an 86 man house Expanded in 1989 to an 86 man house Directly elected by the people Directly elected by the people 4 year terms 4 year terms 1989 revision allows non-clerics to stand for Assembly 1989 revision allows non-clerics to stand for Assembly Responsibilities Responsibilities –Broad constitutional interpretation –Elected Khomeini’s successor (Khamenei) –Reserve right to remove supreme leader

Expediency Council Main purpose is to “referee” disputes between the Guardian Council and the Majlis Main purpose is to “referee” disputes between the Guardian Council and the Majlis Currently consists of 32 members Currently consists of 32 members –Includes: president, chief judge, speaker of Majlis, and six jurists from the Guardian Council Can originate its own legislation Can originate its own legislation Not all members are clerics Not all members are clerics Collectively most powerful men in Iran Collectively most powerful men in Iran

President Chief executive, highest state official after Supreme Leader Chief executive, highest state official after Supreme Leader Directly elected every 4 years Directly elected every 4 years Constitution requires the president to be a Shi’ite and uphold Islamic principles Constitution requires the president to be a Shi’ite and uphold Islamic principles

President’s Powers Supervises economic matters (devises the budget) Supervises economic matters (devises the budget) Proposes legislation to the Majlis Proposes legislation to the Majlis Executes policies Executes policies Signs treaties, laws, and agreements Signs treaties, laws, and agreements Chairs National Security Council Chairs National Security Council Selects cabinet ministers Selects cabinet ministers Appoints provincial governors, town mayors, and ambassadors Appoints provincial governors, town mayors, and ambassadors

Bureaucracy President heads up the bureaucracy, which has doubled in size since 1979 President heads up the bureaucracy, which has doubled in size since 1979 Clergy dominates the bureaucracy, head ministers all clerics Clergy dominates the bureaucracy, head ministers all clerics

Legislature: MAJLIS Unicameral legislature Unicameral legislature –Assembly of Religious Experts has served similar to an upper house since 1989 (Both groups are elected representatives) Created by Constitution of 1906, however Constitution of 1979 and 1989 amendments weakened the Majlis power Created by Constitution of 1906, however Constitution of 1979 and 1989 amendments weakened the Majlis power 290 seats 290 seats All directly elected through single member districts by citizens over 18 years old All directly elected through single member districts by citizens over 18 years old

Majlis Authority Powers of Majlis Powers of Majlis  Enacting or Changing Laws (with approval of Guardian Council)  Interpretation of legislation (as long as it does not contradict judicial authorities)  Appointment of 6 of 12 Guardian Council members from list made by chief judge  Investigation of the cabinet ministers and public complaints against the executive and judiciary  Removal of cabinet ministers, but not the president  Approval of budget, cabinet appointments, treaties, & loans

Majlis elections Election of 2000 Election of 2000 –Reformists fill seats through coalition of reformist parties –Reformists win 80% of the vote, most secular voters whose parties were banned supported the reformists. Election of 2004 Election of 2004 –Guardian Council bans thousands of reformist candidates –Overwhelming victory for conservatives –Control of the Majlis flips from the reformists to the conservative faction

Judiciary Judicial review does not exist in Iran Judicial review does not exist in Iran Principle of jurist’s guardianship means that the Supreme Leader, the Guardian Council, and the Assembly of Religious Experts have final say regarding interpretation of law (shari’a) Principle of jurist’s guardianship means that the Supreme Leader, the Guardian Council, and the Assembly of Religious Experts have final say regarding interpretation of law (shari’a)

Military Revolutionary Guard – established by Khomeini after the revolution, a parallel military force to the shah’s traditional armed forces that were the 5 th largest at the time Revolutionary Guard – established by Khomeini after the revolution, a parallel military force to the shah’s traditional armed forces that were the 5 th largest at the time Commanders of the Revolutionary Guard are appointed by the Supreme Leader Commanders of the Revolutionary Guard are appointed by the Supreme Leader According to the constitution, the regular army defends the borders, the Revolutionary Guard protects the republic According to the constitution, the regular army defends the borders, the Revolutionary Guard protects the republic Basij – volunteer militia of those to young to serve created during Iran-Iraq War. Basij – volunteer militia of those to young to serve created during Iran-Iraq War. –After war they became the Supreme Leader’s private militia –Currently serve as the Islamic Republic’s “morality police” (Comparable to Hitler Nazi Youth) Iran’s armed forces currently have over 500,000 active troops making it the 8 th largest military in the world Iran’s armed forces currently have over 500,000 active troops making it the 8 th largest military in the world

Theocratic & Democratic Elements of Iran’s Government Structure Structure Supreme Leader Supreme Leader Theocratic Characteristics Jurist guardianship; ultimate interpreter of shari’a; appointed for life Jurist guardianship; ultimate interpreter of shari’a; appointed for life Democratic Characteristics Guardian Council Guardian Council Jurist guardianship; interpreter of shari’a; six members selected by the Supreme Leader Jurist guardianship; interpreter of shari’a; six members selected by the Supreme Leader Six members selected by the Majlis; which is popularly elected, indirect democratic tie Six members selected by the Majlis; which is popularly elected, indirect democratic tie Assembly of Religious Experts Assembly of Religious Experts Jurist guardianship; interpreter of shari’a Jurist guardianship; interpreter of shari’a Directly elected by the people Directly elected by the people

Theocratic & Democratic Elements of Iran’s Government Structure Structure Expediency Council Expediency Council Theocratic Characteristics Appointed by the Supreme Leader; most members are clerics Appointed by the Supreme Leader; most members are clerics Democratic Characteristics Some members are not clerics Some members are not clerics Majlis Majlis Responsibility to uphold shari’a Responsibility to uphold shari’a Directly elected by the people; pass qanun (statutes) Directly elected by the people; pass qanun (statutes) Judiciary Judiciary Courts held to shari’a law; subject to the judicial judgments of the Supreme Leader, Guardian Council Courts held to shari’a law; subject to the judicial judgments of the Supreme Leader, Guardian Council Court structure similar to those in democracies; “modern” penalties, such as fines and imprisonment Court structure similar to those in democracies; “modern” penalties, such as fines and imprisonment

Interest Groups It is difficult to distinguish between parties and interest groups in Iran It is difficult to distinguish between parties and interest groups in Iran Most exile parties have members in Iran that work for their benefit Most exile parties have members in Iran that work for their benefit Interest Groups Interest Groups –Islamic Association of Women –Green Coalition –Workers’ House  Interest group for factory workers, have a political party as well, Islamic Labor Party  Hold a May Day rally every year, turned into protest in 1999 against conservative policies to water-down labor laws

Mass Media During and shortly after revolution 27 newspapers in total were shut down During and shortly after revolution 27 newspapers in total were shut down In 1981 Majlis passed law making it illegal to use “pen and speech” against the government In 1981 Majlis passed law making it illegal to use “pen and speech” against the government Some restrictions have been lifted Some restrictions have been lifted –Rafsanjani government allowed for debate in press on some controversial issues –Khatami administration issued permits to new publications in attempt to establish independent press –Many newspapers and magazines privately owned Freedom of Press still a major issue between conservatives and reformists Freedom of Press still a major issue between conservatives and reformists –In 2002, some 60 pro-reform newspapers were shut down –Iran’s elite are well-educated, and private media cater to their needs and interests Radio & TV are government-run, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Radio & TV are government-run, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)