Parliament of Iran

Parliament of Iran
Name	Islamic Consultative Assembly
Native name	مجلس شوراي اسلامي
Legislature	11th Islamic Consultative Assembly
House type	Unicameral
Founded	1906
Preceded by	Persian Constitutional Revolution
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
Party1	Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Members	290
Voting system	Two-round system
Last election	2020 Iranian legislative election
Meeting place	Baharestan, Tehran

Parliament of Iran is the unicameral national legislature established after the Persian Constitutional Revolution and reconstituted following the 1979 Iranian Revolution. It convenes in Baharestan, Tehran and functions within the framework of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran while interacting with institutions such as the Supreme Leader of Iran, the President of Iran, and the Guardian Council. The assembly's membership, electoral procedures, and legislative remit have been shaped by historical episodes including the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, the Pahlavi dynasty, and the post-revolutionary consolidation involving groups like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and parties such as the Combatant Clergy Association.

History

The assembly traces roots to the Persian Constitutional Revolution and the adoption of the Persian Constitution of 1906, influenced by events like the Tobacco Protest and leaders such as Sattar Khan and Bagher Khan. During the Pahlavi dynasty, episodes including the 1953 Iranian coup d'état and policies of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi altered legislative autonomy, while the 1979 upheaval led by figures like Ruhollah Khomeini and organizations such as the Islamic Republican Party produced the current constitutional order. Post-1979 developments involved structural changes enacted under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and supervision by organs like the Guardian Council and the Expediency Discernment Council, amid crises such as the Iran–Iraq War and international disputes including tensions with the United States and episodes like the Iran hostage crisis.

Structure and Composition

The assembly is a unicameral body composed of 290 deputies elected from constituencies including metropolitan districts like Tehran and provinces such as Fars Province, Isfahan Province, and East Azerbaijan Province. Internal offices include the Speaker, deputies, and committees modeled after parliamentary practices found in systems influenced by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran; leadership figures have included politicians connected to factions such as the Principlists and the Reformists. Its seat in Baharestan, Tehran neighbors institutions like the Majma'-e Shora-ye Eslami and the Office of the Supreme Leader, while administrative oversight intersects with entities like the Ministry of Interior (Iran) and the Guardian Council.

Powers and Functions

Constitutional powers derive from the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, enabling deputies to draft and adopt bills, approve national budgets, and summon ministers including the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Iran). The assembly exercises oversight through mechanisms affecting the President of Iran and can question cabinet members, with checks from the Guardian Council which vets legislation for conformity with the constitution and Sharia. It ratifies international agreements such as treaties recognized under the United Nations framework and can impeach ministers similar to procedures in other legislative bodies influenced by historical precedents like the Persian Constitutional Revolution.

Electoral System and Membership

Deputies are elected via a two-round majority system with reserved seats for recognized minorities including Armenians of Iran, Assyrians, and Zoroastrians, and constituency allocations reflect provinces such as Kerman Province and West Azerbaijan Province. Elections such as the 2020 Iranian legislative election are administered with candidate vetting by the Guardian Council and registration overseen by the Ministry of Interior (Iran), with notable impacts from political groups like the Islamic Coalition Party and civic movements connected to the Green Movement (Iran). Membership has included clerics affiliated with seminaries in Qom and lay politicians from cities like Mashhad and Tabriz.

Legislative Process

Law-making begins with bill proposals from deputies, the President of Iran, or ministers; bills are reviewed in specialized committees and debated in plenary sessions in Baharestan, Tehran. Approved laws are forwarded to the Guardian Council for review against the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Sharia; unresolved disputes may be referred to the Expediency Discernment Council for arbitration. The assembly enacts budgets, ratifies international agreements, and issues motions of confidence or censure akin to parliamentary practices observed in other systems influenced by historical events such as the Persian Constitutional Revolution.

Relationship with Other State Institutions

The assembly operates alongside the Supreme Leader of Iran, whose authority and appointments, including guardianship over institutions like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, shape the legislative environment. Interaction occurs with the Guardian Council on statutory conformity and with the Expediency Discernment Council on mediating disputes; the Judiciary of Iran and the Assembly of Experts also intersect through oversight, constitutional interpretation, and clerical oversight rooted in seminaries like Qom. Executive-legislative relations involve the President of Iran and ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran), while security legislation often implicates bodies like the Ministry of Intelligence (Iran).

Controversies and Criticisms

Controversies include disputes over candidate disqualifications by the Guardian Council, allegations of limited pluralism affecting factions like the Reformists and Principlists, and criticisms from international actors including the European Union and the United Nations regarding electoral transparency. High-profile episodes such as boycotts during the 2020 Iranian legislative election, debates over sanctions linked to United States policy, and clashes involving figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have fueled domestic and international critique. Debates also focus on legislative independence relative to the Supreme Leader of Iran and institutional checks involving the Expediency Discernment Council.

Category:Politics of Iran Category:Government of Iran