Supporters of Mohammad Khatami, the President of Iran, in the Islamic Consultative Assembly intend to challenge the powerful conservative faction in the country by proposing an expansion of the reformist presidential powers. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Ali Abtahi, the parliamentary and legal affairs deputy of the President, plans to present this proposal to the parliament tomorrow. Last month, Mr. Khatami stated that he is willing to use all available means to exercise his powers against hardliners who obstruct his reforms, particularly the Guardian Council. The President of Iran has also threatened to resign if his efforts fail. The Iranian judiciary, controlled by hardline and conservative clerics, has shut down several reformist newspapers and publications, imprisoned their editors, and prevented the appointment of hundreds of reformist candidates for government positions.
Khatami's Parliamentary Deputy Proposes Increasing Presidential Powers to Parliament - 2002-09-23
Ali Abtahi, Khatami's parliamentary deputy, is set to propose an expansion of presidential powers to challenge conservative factions in Iran. Khatami has expressed readiness to use all means against hardliners obstructing reforms and has threatened to resign if unsuccessful. This move is significant as it highlights the ongoing struggle between reformists and conservatives in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ali Abtahi plans to propose an expansion of presidential powers in the Iranian parliament to counteract conservative opposition. This move comes as Khatami expresses frustration over hardliners obstructing his reform efforts.
- Khatami has threatened to resign if he cannot implement his reforms.
- The Iranian judiciary has suppressed reformist media and candidates, highlighting the tension between reformists and conservatives.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Since Khatami's election in 1997, Iran has experienced significant political tension between reformists advocating for change and conservatives seeking to maintain the status quo.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%