Not so pivotal shift in Iranian politics

September 12, 2007 at 6:14 pm | Posted in democracy, Iran, Khatami, Rafsanjani | Leave a comment

The election of Ayatullah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as chairman of the Majles-e-Khobregan (Assembly of experts), is as ever overplayed in the Western media. The late Ayatullah Meshkini – the previous chairman – was neither a household name in the West or Iran. His significance in Iranian politics was minimal.  Hashemi in his own right is bigger than the position of chairman of the Khobregan, which carries no special powers.

Constitutionally, the Khobregan is significant, since under article 107,  it elects the Velayat-e faqih, and in principle could remove him under Article 111, should he be derelict in his duties. Yet in practice the body meets twice yearly and does not involve itself in Iranian politics. Any decision requires a majority vote and this is where the election is significant. Hashemi was expected to win by a large margin; he did not. The vote was 41 for Hashemi, 34 Ayatullah Ahmad Janati, with 11 absentee votes. Ayatullah Momen was elected first deputy chairman, and Ayatullah Ahmad Khatami, second deputy chairman. Both are conservatives closer to Ayatullah al-Uzma Khamenei.  

The significance of this is that Hashemi lacks the support to extend his remit beyond his constitutional authority. If this was not Hashemi, I would suggest that such an appointment, is tantamount to retiring from politics. However, it seems an unlikely place upon which to make a bid for the presidency.