Will Khamenei wipe out the last vestiges of democracy in Iran?
A month ago,
statements made by Hamid Reza Katouzian, a Member of the Iranian Parliament led to creation of a hot topic on Balatarin. “The country enjoys the blessing of the Supreme Leader. Therefore there is no need for a president in the country. The country can, as its highest executive authority, have a prime minister, chosen by the Parliament,” said Katouzian. At the time, there was an uproar about the audacity of the suggestion. User zimmerman immediately said: “Congratulations to the proud Iranian nation on the official and public grand opening of religious fascism, headed by Sultan Ali Khamenei.” “Every day, a new phase of the ‘North Koreanization’ of the country is kicked off. Congratulations!” said strong. Another user, hamid.jobs said: “While the Middle East goes democratic, Iran is driving in reverse gear toward absolute dictatorship.”
This week, on a trip to the western city of Kermanshah, Iran’s Supreme Leader mentioned that idea again. “At this time, the country’s ruling political system is a presidential one in which the president is directly elected by the people, making this a good and effective method,” he said.
“However, if one day, probably in the distant future, it is deemed that the parliamentary system is more appropriate for the election of officials with executive power, there would be no problem in changing the current system.” This quickly became another topic of interest for the site users. In a link entitled “Khamenei’s Green Light to Elimination of Presidency in the Constitution,” users exchanged their thoughts.
“Hey, you, utter dictator! In order to do such a thing, even with the backward and reactionary Islamic Republic Constitution, you will need a public referendum!” said lbrty. “In fact the 1979 revolution was not to bring people freedom. It was to overthrow a monarchist dynasty and to replace it with a clerical dynasty. They changed the title of ‘king’ for ‘mullah,’ and switched the crown with a turban. [We will now have] Supreme Leader I, and Supreme Leader II…,” said mahsa-s.
User freesoul said: “This dude is talking about the distant future, but I was expecting them to eliminate the president position earlier, because, to tell you the truth, after the 2009 elections it is hard for me to imagine another presidential election in Iran.” In the same vein, bardiax said: “This indicates Khamenei and the regime’s fear about the next presidential election.” “No, the ‘Republic’ will be eliminated and we will end up with a complete Taliban-style ‘Islamic’ regime,” said kave.ahangar.
It is clear we have not heard the last of Ayatollah Khamenei’s plans for Iran. It does not appear that the unspeakable crackdown on dissidents, students, and intellectuals, nor Iran’s foreign policy have earned supporters for the regime inside or outside the country. The changes that have taken place in Iran since June 2009 have occurred with a fast and furious pace, each leaving the Islamic Republic of Iran more isolated internationally and domestically. While other nations in the region try to gain control over their destiny, freeing themselves of their ruling dictators, Iran’s undisputed and unmonitored Supreme Leader, Mr. Khamenei, seems to be thinking fast for ways to remain in power and rule Iran with as little disagreement as possible.
