24th June 2021

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 Musings.......


Iran has elected its eighth president since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ended the Pahlavi Dynasty. 


As one may know Iran is a theocratic state with partial elective democracy. 


At the top of the governance pyramid is the supreme leader - currently Ayatollah Ali Khaneneni who is in power since 1989 when his predecessor Ayatollah Khomeini died. 


The Supreme Leader is the commander in chief of all armed forces and security services, appoints the heads of radio and TV networks and the Judiciary. He also elects half of 12 member Guardian Council. 


The Guardian Council (GC) members vet candidature for all elected positions including the President, the 290 member Parliament and the 88 member Assembly of Experts. 


The GC also ensures all legislation passed is in conformity with the Sharia laws. 


In case there is difference of opinion, the matter is referred to a 45-member Expediency Council - which is again chosen by the Supreme Leader. 


The main role of the previously mentioned 88 member Experts Assembly is to elect and approve the new Supreme Leader. 


The Supreme leader is elected for life ( of till he chooses to retire ) and the President is limited to two four- year terms. 


The newly elected President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi owes most of his political career to the Supreme Leader. 

This has risen speculations in Iran that Khamenei is grooming his potential successor. 


Raisi is considered a hardliner. He was a theology student in the holy city of Qom in the 1960s and joined the anti- Shah movement in his teens. 

After the revolution he took on a legal career. 

During the eight year Iran- Iraq war he was appointed as a member of the “Death  Commission” where thousands of pro- Saddam Hussein supporters were sentenced to death ).  

Later he was elevated to Deputy chief of Judiciary and then Prosecutor General. 


In 2019 both the US and EU imposed sanctions on Raisi on account of his human rights record, for the 1980s executions and lethal crackdowns on anti government protests in 2009 and 2019. 


As far as the future of a new Nuclear pact with the west is concerned, the appointment of Raisi, does not give much hope. 


Since he is a hardliner and protege of the Supreme Leader it is unlikely Iran would open up to the west any soon. 


To get public support domestically however it would be prudent on the part of Raisi to encourage a slow embrace of reformist ethic by his administration and prevent crushing freedom and liberty. 


It would be interesting to watch out for Iran and it’s policies towards the West in the time to come, as it could have far reaching consequences even for India, who was till not so long ago a major Oil exporting nation for Iran. 


Food for Thought.......


RC 


rohitchennithala.home.blog 

rohitchennithala.blogspot.com

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