Islamic Consultative Assembly
The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Persian: مجلس شورای اسلامی, romanized: Majles-e Showrā-ye Eslāmī), also called the Iranian Parliament, the Iranian Majles (Arabicised spelling Majlis) or ICA, is the national legislative body of Iran. The Parliament currently consists of 290 representatives, an increase from the previous 272 seats since the 18 February 2000 election.
Islamic Consultative Assembly
مجلس شورای اسلامی
Majles-e Showrā-ye Eslāmī
16 November 1906
14 March 1980 (current form)
since 28 May 2020
since 28 May 2023
since 28 May 2023
290[1]
- Principlists (227)
- SHANA (199)
- Deviant current (14)
- Stability Front (3)
- Justice Seekers (2)
- Grand Coalition (1)
- Independents (8)
- Reformists and Moderates (20)
- MDP (5)
- ECP (2)
- Coalition for Iran (1)
- Independents (12)
- Non-affiliated (38)
- Minorities (5)
4 years[1]
2028
History[edit]
Islamic Republic of Iran[edit]
Following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Senate of Iran was abolished and effectively succeeded by the Guardian Council, maintaining the bicameral structure of the Iranian legislature. In the 1989 constitutional revision, the National Consultative Assembly was renamed the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Since the Iranian Revolution, the Parliament of Iran has been led by six chairmen. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani served as the inaugural chairman from 1980 to 1989. Subsequently, Mehdi Karroubi held the position in two separate terms (1989–1992 and 2000–2004), followed by Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri (1992–2000), Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel (2004–2008), Ali Larijani (2008–2020), and, since 2020, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Throughout its history, the Parliament's character has evolved from being a "debating chamber for notables" to a "club for the shah's placemen" during the Pahlavi era. In the era of the Islamic Republic, it has shifted to being a body primarily influenced by members of the "propertied middle class."[2][3]
Functions[edit]
The Islamic Consultative Assembly holds the authority to legislate laws on all matters within the boundaries defined by the Constitution.[5] Nevertheless, it is restricted from enacting laws that contradict the fundamental principles of the official religion of the nation (Islam) or the Constitution itself.[6]
Government bills are submitted to the Islamic Consultative Assembly only after obtaining the approval of the Council of Ministers.[7]
The Islamic Consultative Assembly possesses the prerogative to investigate and scrutinize all matters concerning the country.[8]
International treaties, protocols, contracts, and agreements necessitate approval from the Islamic Consultative Assembly.[9]
Sanctioning and obtaining national or international loans or grants by the government requires ratification from the Islamic Consultative Assembly.[10]
The President must secure a vote of confidence from the Assembly, through a Council of Ministers approval, upon forming the government and prior to conducting any other business.[11]
In the event that at least one-fourth of the total members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly raise a question to the President, or if any Assembly member poses a question to a minister regarding their duties, the President or the minister is obligated to attend the Assembly and address the query.[12]
All legislation endorsed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly must be submitted to the Guardian Council. Within a maximum of ten days from its receipt, the Guardian Council must review the legislation to ensure its compatibility with Islamic criteria and the Constitution. If any incompatibility is identified, the legislation is returned to the Assembly for further review. Otherwise, the legislation is deemed enforceable.[13]
