The Heads of the Three Branches Essentially Lack the Power to Make Executive Decisions

On Tuesday, ahead of the ceremonies of the so-called Fajr decade, Hassan Rouhani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, met with Ali Larijani and Sadeq Amoli Larijani, the heads of the legislative and judicial branches, respectively. According to Mr. Rouhani, the most important issues and topics of the day in the country were discussed and exchanged, with part of this meeting dedicated to the upcoming elections for the Assembly of Experts and the Islamic Council. Qasem Shaleh Saadi, a university professor and former member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, told Radio Farda that the heads of the three branches essentially lack the power to make executive decisions. According to Mr. Shaleh Saadi, decisions are made by power institutions such as the Guardian Council and its affiliated bodies. Regarding the role of the meeting of the heads of the branches for the elections, Mr. Shaleh Saadi believes that with widespread disqualification of candidates, a parliament similar to the current one will likely form, which will not be of much importance to the Larijani brothers. Only Hassan Rouhani's government could be harmed by the formation of a similar parliament like the current one, limiting its area of activity. On Sunday, February 11, Mr. Rouhani emphasized the necessity of public participation in elections, stating that if the people's presence in the June 2013 elections had not occurred, we would not be experiencing victory in nuclear negotiations and the end of sanctions today.