Administration’s Policies Unacceptable

In exclusive interviews with Rooz, three principalist lawmakers (idealogues from the president’s political faction) noted that “Ahmadinejad’s viewpoints are unacceptable to Majlis representatives” and declared that chief executive officer had to abide by the law.

Yousef Ghasemi, representative from Lahijan, seyyed Salman Zaker, representative from Oroumieh, and Mohammad Hossein Farhangi, representative from Tabriz in the Islamic republic Majlis are the three principalist lawmakers who spoke with Rooz about disagreements between the Majlis and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the latter’s refusal to execute laws passed by the legislature.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been criticized both for refusing to issue executive order for passed laws by the Majlis to the relevant executive agencies¾forcing Majlis speaker in certain instances to communicate the law to government agencies himself¾as well as for refusing to implement the law altogether. Ali Larijani likened Ahmadinejad’s behavior to that of a bully, while Ahmad Tavakoli, the head of the Majlis’ Strategic Research Center, officially accused Ahmadinejad of dictatorial behavior. Another principlist lawmaker, Ali Motahari, also condemned Ahmadinejad’s behavior as inappropriate and a sign of dictatorship.

Ahmadinejad’s supporters in the Majlis have strongly reacted to such criticisms by principlist lawmakers. Lawmaker Fatemeh Alia went as far as calling for criminal prosecution of Tavakoli and Motahari.

However, principalist lawmaker Yousef Ghasemi was not as blunt and tells Rooz that, “Mr. Motahari and Mr. Tavakoli are correct. They are very informed people and we also say that the administration must abide by the law and, by accepting issues, change its viewpoints.”

This principalist lawmaker adds, “The administration’s views are unacceptable to us in their extreme and radical form. We see some deviations that must be corrected and reformed.”

Mohammad Hossein Farhangi, plays down the arguments and says the disagreements between the Majlis and Ahmadinejad’s administration are “normal and exist all over the world.” He adds, “Sometime ago we visited South Korea and saw harsh disagreements between the parliament and the administration over the budget there. At the same time, we believe that there is not enough dialogue and discussion between the Majlis and administration; meaning that, in proportion to the decisions that are made, discussion is limited to certain areas, and one thing that causes disagreements is this very issue.”

Seyyed Salman Zaker, however, tells Rooz, that Mr. Motahari and Mr. Tavakoli should have respected the rules of criticism.

But Zaker adds, “One reason for so much disagreement is that there is not enough communication between the two branches. The heads of the two branches in fact don’t have any meetings with one another, which is something that must be resolved.”

Nevertheless, Zaker says, “According to the law, lawmakers have the right to publicly comment on any issue, but we must be mindful of the country’s situation and our enemies.”

When asked if that criticism applies to Ahmadinejad also, Zaker says, “He should also be careful, and not speak in a manner that, on one hand can be manipulated by the enemy while on other, violates ethical norms.”