Bill to Increase Presidential Powers Submitted to Parliament

The bill to increase presidential powers has been submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Mohammad Khatami, the reformist President of Iran, has called for an increase in presidential powers, effectively challenging the influence of rival hardline conservatives. Supporters of Khatami argue that the new bill clarifies the powers of the president and enables him to implement the political reforms promised to the people, which have been obstructed by the Guardian Council. This council, controlled by conservative clerics, has the authority to approve or reject parliamentary legislation. The bill grants the president the power to dismiss judges who overstep their authority or violate the constitution, while the judiciary in Iran is also under conservative control. Another provision of the bill removes the Guardian Council's power to disqualify election candidates, a power that has previously barred many reformist candidates from participating in elections. Khatami, who was elected president in 1997 and again last year with a significant majority, has recently warned that if the council rejects these bills, he will put the issue of powers to a referendum. The president has also stated that he will resign if his requested powers are opposed. The proposed bills must first be approved by the parliament and then pass the Guardian Council's review to become law, a process that takes several weeks.