Constitutional crisis in Iran: Political rift between Ahmadinejad and Parliamentary Principalists
Not long ago the Conservatives and Principalists won Presidential and parliamentary elections in Iran thanks to the conservative Guardian Council which is appointed by Iranian leader to oversee elections. Reformists and their leaders like Mousavi, Khatami and Karrubi, were either isolated or imprisoned. But now there seems to be a deep rift developing between the Ahmadinejad and his once-allies Principalists, in the Parliament and in the Iranian powerful market place (Bazaar).
Today, the spokesperson for the Guardian Council, Mr. Kadkhodayee, for the first time admitted that "The President and the Parliament are farthest than ever from each other and are not willing to reach consensus on matters or collaborate." He also acknowledged that some of the members of the Guardian Council, despite their oversight position and need for neutrality, openly backed Ahmadinejad in last election "out of the vital need of the Islamic system." The Islamic system often refers to the decisions of the Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei.
For several months the Head of Iranian Parliament, Ali Larijani, has complained about the violation of Iranian constitution by the President when he does not allow oversight by the Parliament on Governmental decrees and budget. The President and the Parliament even visited the Iranian leader to resolve issues but were not successful due to the indecision or inability of the leader. The powerful Revolutionary Guard Corp which controls the Iranian military and large sectors of the economy, backs Ahmadinejad.
Larijani leads the Principalists, or Pragmatic Conservatives, in the Parliament, a group loyal to principles of Islamic jurisprudence and morality. Some Principalists, such as Ali Motaharri and Ahmad Tavakoli, have been harsh critics of Ahmadinejad in ethical and moral matters. The Iranian President recently filed a legal charge against Motaharri.