Majlis Of IranEdit
The Majlis, officially the Islamic Consultative Assembly, is the national legislature of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is the main elected body through which citizens influence policy, approve the budget, and oversee the executive branch within the framework set by the constitution and the guardianship of the faqih. Located in Tehran, the house is composed of 290 representatives elected to four-year terms from electoral districts that span the country. While it is the primary arena for making laws and shaping policy, its powers operate in tandem with unelected institutions that oversee constitutional compatibility and national cohesion, notably the Guardian Council and the Expediency Discernment Council. The Majlis thus sits at the intersection of popular sovereignty and the republic’s theocratic architecture, making it a focal point for debates about reform, continuity, and national sovereignty.
The parliamentary system in Iran emerged from a long history of constitutionalism and revolution. Its modern form was established after the 1979 revolution, when the new constitutional framework created a bicameral-looking setup in which the Majlis functions as the national legislature under the overarching authority of the Supreme Leader and the religious-legal establishment. The system aims to balance popular participation with the legitimate authority of religious scholars and jurists. For readers exploring the broader constitutional landscape, the Constitution of Iran provides the legal spine for how the Majlis, the Supreme Leader of Iran, the Assembly of Experts, and the other organs interact.
Structure and powers
Composition and oversight
- The Majlis is made up of 290 members elected from various districts. Elections are conducted under the supervision of national electoral authorities and the Guardian Council, which vet candidates for compatibility with the constitution and Islamic law. This vetting process has been a central point of controversy for critics who argue it limits genuine electoral competition, while supporters contend it preserves constitutional order and social stability.
- Members debate legislation, examine government programs, and can summon ministers for questioning. They also consider and approve the national budget and financial plans, making the Majlis a key instrument in economic policy and public resource allocation.
Lawmaking process
- Proposed laws originate in the Majlis, where committees scrutinize bills, hear the administration’s explanations, and amend proposals. Once a bill passes the Majlis, it goes to the Guardian Council to ensure compatibility with the constitution and Shiite Islamic law; the council can veto or require revisions.
- If the Guardian Council blocks a bill, the Expediency Discernment Council steps in to propose a final version or to resolve differences between the Majlis and the Guardian Council. The result is a system of checks and balances designed to keep legislation aligned with both popular intent and the country’s constitutional-theocratic framework.
Relationship with other branches
- The President, elected separately, proposes budgets and policy initiatives to the Majlis, which must then approve or amend them. While the president and cabinet carry out executive functions, their authority is conditioned by the Majlis’s legislative and financial oversight.
- The Guardian Council, composed of clerics and jurists, serves as a constitutional and religious filter for legislation and elections. The Expediency Council, appointed to resolve disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council, acts as a backstop to maintain continuity in governance. The Assembly of Experts, while not directly involved in day-to-day legislation, has the responsibility of supervising and selecting the Supreme Leader, linking the Majlis to the country’s ultimate source of religious authority.
Power and limitations
- The Majlis can impeach ministers, approve or reject cabinet appointments, and shape the legislative agenda. However, its legislative output is tempered by the Guardian Council’s veto power and the broader framework of the constitutional system, which ensures that laws conform to both constitutional propriety and Islamic law.
- Economic policy, foreign affairs, and social issues are areas where the Majlis can push for reforms, while opponents argue that the influence of unelected bodies, security institutions, and conservative religious authorities constrains rapid or sweeping change.
Historical and political context
The Majlis has played a central role in Iran’s political evolution, from the constitutional movements of the early 20th century to the revolutionary period and the post-1979 republic. Its elections have reflected currents of political thought—from reformist currents seeking greater civil liberties and more openness to the world, to conservative currents emphasizing social order, national sovereignty, and adherence to religious law. The balance between reform and conservatism in the Majlis has significant implications for policy outcomes, including economic reform, sanctions responses, and Iran’s foreign policy posture.
Debates and controversies surrounding the Majlis center on the scope and limits of its democratic legitimacy within the Islamic Republic. Critics argue that candidate vetting by the Guardian Council, and the broader influence of unelected institutions and security organs, restrict genuine political competition and the ability of a broad popular mandate to translate into policy. Proponents respond that the system protects against factional instability, preserves core national and religious values, and provides a stable framework for governance in a challenging regional and international environment. In this light, discussions around governance often emphasize the need to balance reformist aspirations with the country’s commitment to tradition, religious legitimacy, and political resilience.
In the arena of foreign policy and security, the Majlis has asserted influence over treaties, sanctions responses, and international engagements by approving or shaping legislation that constrains or enables engagement with other states and international bodies. Some observers credit the Majlis with providing a democratic channel for public concerns to reach the heart of national decision-making, while others argue that external pressures and internal constraints limit the depth of change the legislature can achieve within the current constitutional architecture. Proponents of this framework often contend that the system fosters stability, unity, and continuity of national policy even amid external tensions.
For further context, see the Constitution of Iran, the Guardian Council, the Expediency Discernment Council, and the Assembly of Experts. The country’s broader political and social landscape, including relations with Iran and the international community, is explored in related entries such as Islamic Republic of Iran, President of Iran, and Revolutionary Guards.