Supreme Leader of Iran
The term Supreme Leader (Persian رهبر معظم انقلاب, Rahbare Mo'azzam -e Enghelab, German revolutionary leader, or Persian مقام رهبری, Magham -e Rahbari (short: Rahbar ), dt management authority ) referred to in the Islamic Republic Iran the highest representatives of the state (English Supreme Leader). This assumes a more than representative and spiritual guide roller in the state which is constitutionally protected by a system of influence. He is elected by the expert.
Meaning and History
The term Supreme Leader actually refers to the Shiite clergy in which the jurists ( ayatollahs ) are authorized to interpretation of certain legal matters by interpreting the behavior of the Prophet Muhammad and the 12 Imams, as well as interpretation of the Koran. After Ayatollah Khomeini's concept of the state 's most respected Grand Ayatollah should take in addition to the spiritual and the political leadership. Therefore, conception Khomeini called Velayat -e faqih ( rule of the Supreme Leader ).
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran was adopted in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution, according to the concept of Khomeini. She sat originally the Supreme Leader as a person with management authority requires ( Article 5). Khomeini himself was regarded as the legal scholars and mentioned by name in the Constitution, which could lead the Islamic state as a religious and secular leader. Formal head of state is but according to the constitution de jure Muhammad ibn Hasan al -Mahdi (Arabic: محمد بن حسن المهدى, 869-941? ), Eternal spiritual leader of the Shia.
After Khomeini's death only a few ayatollahs met the requirements for the vacant post of Supreme Leader; especially among those who were in favor of the Khomeini principle and thus against the quietist attitude, only Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri found. This, in turn, was exiled shortly before Khomeini's death from the top management, whether by Khomeini himself or by his son, also argue that different authors. Thus remained to bypass " crisis of leadership ", only the constitutional amendment of 1989 by Article 107 of the Constitution.
The top leaders of the state had with the election of Seyyed Alī Chamene'i no longer be the supreme law scholars at the same time. Although Khamenei, was "promoted" only with the appointment of a powerful leader from Hodschatoleslam to Ayatollah especially its " low, has made several attempts to take over their qualifications after the death of several major ayatollahs in Qom, it was found among the clergy but not a majority, " teaching spoke against it.
Other names
The term Supreme Leader for the highest Iranian government official has established itself in spite of the constitutional amendment in the German translation. Alternative names of the Office are revolutionary leader, Supreme or Supreme Leader (English Supreme leader) and religious leader (English religious leader ).
Tasks and functions
Under Article 110 of the Iranian Constitution the Supreme Leader has the following duties and functions:
- Appointment of Islamic jurists of the Guardian Council
- Appointment of the Chief Justice of the country
- Exercise the supreme command of the armed forces
- Direct control of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards ( Basiji Mostazafan )
- Appointment of the head of the state-owned radio and television stations
- Appointment and dismissal of the President
- Pardon or reduction of imposed fines and court
- Delivery of peace or war declarations.
The jurist usually does not interfere in the current politics, but it has the power to remove from office the President at any time, one should not be underestimated influence on the politics of the day. A direct influence of the Supreme Leader on the policy of the government is also unnecessary by the powers of the Guardian Council in most cases. The Guardian has a veto on all laws decisions and government decisions. As the jurist determines the composition of the Guardian Council largely self, the decisions of the Guardian Council meet with his. Thus, the function of the Supreme Leader as head of state goes far beyond a purely representative role, such as the addition of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Tenure
The jurist has no specific term of office under Article 111 of the Iranian Constitution. He is re- elected, if he dies or his office can no longer run. This deficiency can be both physical nature or related to the individual of the lawyers themselves, if he no longer fulfills the necessary conditions (Article 109) for the post. Practically this would be especially the case if he would move away from the political and religious world view.