How does the Iranian government work?
July 24, 2006 1:33 AM Subscribe
How much authority does the Iranian President have? Basically I'd like to know more about the Iranian government system? How does the guardian counsel work? Is it sort of like a supreme court? Does it come up with it's own laws? How often does it get involved in non-religious issues? Also, how much political discussion is allowed in Iran? I know the Iranian constitution allows free speech "except where it contradicts Islam" Does that forbid criticism of the guardian counsel? What about the president?
The Guardian Council can veto any law, and it doesn't have to give any reason why, so it's not even remotely like SCOTUS. It also has the right to vet all candidates for office before elections are held, and can reject any candidate for any reason.
As a practical matter, Khamenei has almost total power. He doesn't necessarily use it, but under the system he could.
The President is the nominal Executive of the government, but in practice he's on a leash held by Khamenei, who can jerk him any time.
How often does it get involved in non-religious issues? Under Sharia, there are no non-religious issues.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 3:54 AM on July 24, 2006
As a practical matter, Khamenei has almost total power. He doesn't necessarily use it, but under the system he could.
The President is the nominal Executive of the government, but in practice he's on a leash held by Khamenei, who can jerk him any time.
How often does it get involved in non-religious issues? Under Sharia, there are no non-religious issues.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 3:54 AM on July 24, 2006
I'm catching up with old New Yorkers and happen to be just in the middle of reading this, which you might find interesting.
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:51 AM on July 24, 2006
posted by CunningLinguist at 4:51 AM on July 24, 2006
As I understand it, the president has no real power. You need only look at how little the reformists got accomplished the last decade they were in power to see this is the case. Iran's system of government gives all the power to the guardian council, and in particular to the Ayatollah.
I know the Iranian constitution allows free speech "except where it contradicts Islam" Does that forbid criticism of the guardian counsel? What about the president?
For example, Akbar Ganji was imprisoned recently for some time for his criticism of the government. I suspect if he wasn't a popular figure in Iran they would have had him killed. The regime killed many of their political opponents during the 80s and 90s. (Both within Iran and abroad.)
posted by chunking express at 7:49 AM on July 24, 2006
I know the Iranian constitution allows free speech "except where it contradicts Islam" Does that forbid criticism of the guardian counsel? What about the president?
For example, Akbar Ganji was imprisoned recently for some time for his criticism of the government. I suspect if he wasn't a popular figure in Iran they would have had him killed. The regime killed many of their political opponents during the 80s and 90s. (Both within Iran and abroad.)
posted by chunking express at 7:49 AM on July 24, 2006
Also, daveyt, that "exclusive" is news from 2 years ago.
posted by chunking express at 7:51 AM on July 24, 2006
posted by chunking express at 7:51 AM on July 24, 2006
This graphic:
From this BBC page helped me. One very important point is that the Guardian Council must approve all candidates in ever election, which means that when you hear certain candidates or politicians described as "moderates" or "reformers"... well, they ain't.
posted by maxreax at 10:41 AM on July 24, 2006
From this BBC page helped me. One very important point is that the Guardian Council must approve all candidates in ever election, which means that when you hear certain candidates or politicians described as "moderates" or "reformers"... well, they ain't.
posted by maxreax at 10:41 AM on July 24, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Dunwitty at 1:53 AM on July 24, 2006