The Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran approved a bill that grants President Mohammad Khatami the authority to call for a national referendum. This bill was passed today with a ratio of more than three to one. According to a report by Agence France-Presse citing Ali Shakouri Rad, one of the members of parliament, the approval of this bill facilitates the possibility of holding a referendum on important issues such as the resumption of relations with the United States. Today's voting in the Islamic Consultative Assembly took place amid efforts by Khatami's reformist allies to strengthen his powers and authority. However, the parliament's decision still needs to be approved by the Guardian Council, which is dominated by conservatives. Conservatives argue that only Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has the right to call for a referendum. The hardline supporters of the Islamic Republic have consistently obstructed Khatami's efforts to liberalize the country's laws and institutions. The bill, which will be an amendment to the constitution, states that if the president or one hundred members of parliament request a referendum and two-thirds of the members of parliament approve it, a referendum can be held.
Approval of Bill Increasing Powers of Mohammad Khatami in the Islamic Consultative Assembly
The Iranian parliament has approved a bill that empowers President Mohammad Khatami to call for a national referendum. This move is significant as it could allow discussions on critical issues like relations with the U.S., but it still requires approval from the conservative-dominated Guardian Council.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Iranian parliament approved a bill that allows President Khatami to call for national referendums, potentially enabling discussions on key issues like U.S. relations. This bill passed with a significant majority but still requires approval from the conservative Guardian Council.
- The bill allows for a referendum if requested by the president or 100 MPs and approved by two-thirds of parliament.
- The Guardian Council, dominated by conservatives, must still approve the bill for it to take effect.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's political system is characterized by a struggle between reformists seeking liberalization and conservatives aiming to maintain the status quo. Khatami's presidency in the late 1990s was marked by attempts to implement reforms that faced significant pushback.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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