The Generalities of the Bill on the Powers of the Islamic Republic President Approved by Parliament

The Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, which is predominantly composed of reformist representatives, has approved the generalities of a bill that would allow President Mohammad Khatami to annul judicial rulings controlled by conservatives. This is an effort to increase the president's powers against rival conservatives. A few days ago, the parliament also approved another bill in this regard. Both bills must be approved by the Guardian Council to become law. The Guardian Council, which is controlled by conservatives, must confirm the compatibility of the parliamentary law with Islam and the constitution. Analysts say the Guardian Council will certainly reject both bills. Mr. Khatami states that with the approval of these bills, he will be better able to respond to the demands of the people who elected him. Mohammad Khatami was elected president in 1997 and 2001 by a landslide majority, but his efforts to establish democracy have been hindered and stalled by conservatives who control the judiciary, armed forces, and radio and television. The parliament's action on Sunday to approve the presidential powers bill comes at a time when the judiciary, under conservative control, has sentenced a reformist university professor to death, and the issuance of the verdict has faced increasing criticism. Hashem Aghajari, a writer and political activist, was sentenced in court for insulting Islam because he had urged people not to blindly follow the clergy of the country. The majority of parliament representatives have called for the annulment of the verdict against Aghajari, and Mehdi Karroubi, the Speaker of Parliament, has expressed his disgust and revulsion at the court's ruling.