Iran Lawmakers Ask Khomeini to Amend Constitution ‘Flaws’
More than half the members of Iran’s Parliament called Sunday for amendments to the Islamic republic’s constitution to correct “major flaws,” Tehran Radio reported.
The broadcast reported that 166 members of the 270-seat Majlis said in a letter to the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Iran’s supreme leader, that articles concerning the future leadership of the country and the powers of the executive branch must be changed.
The move came as revolutionary hard-liners led by Interior Minister Ali Akbar Mohtashemi appeared to tighten their control of Iran’s leadership.
It is believed that the letter reflects an effort by Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Speaker of Parliament, to counter the hard-liners by strengthening the powers of the presidency.
The letter urged the 88-year-old Khomeini to create a commission to redraft the constitution. Proposed amendments would be put before the nation in a referendum, the letter said.
Rafsanjani, once considered the most powerful figure in Iran after Khomeini, wants to eliminate the post of prime minister, now held by hard-liner Hussein Moussavi, and give the presidency more executive powers.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
