Omid Memarian
o.memarian@roozonline.com

In an interview with Rooz, Soheila Jelodarzadeh, a member of the minority reformist faction in ‎the seventh Majlis, argues that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's unconstitutional actions have disrupted ‎the regime's order. Below is an excerpt of this interview.‎

Rooz (R): How do you evaluate Mr. Ahmadinejad's recent letter to the Majlis speaker and his ‎accusation that Majlis passes illegal legislation?‎

Soheila Jelodarzadeh (SJ): According to the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the Guardian ‎Council to examine the legislation passed by Majlis and determine its compatibility with the ‎Constitution. However, in his letter to Mr. Haddad Adel [Speaker of Majlis], Mr. Ahmadinejad ‎assumed the role of a second Guardian Council. In any case, the Speaker of Majlis responded ‎appropriately to this action. I think that this is the beginning of a resurrection in the Majlis, ‎because prior to this Majlis had no spine and the legitimacy that it had acquired from people's ‎vote was undermined. ‎

R: The majority hardliner faction has acted in accordance with the President's wishes in the past ‎two years. In your opinion, why does Mr. Ahmadinejad decided to send such an unprecedented ‎letter to the Majlis? ‎

SJ: The Islamic Republic is a parliamentary republic in which the Majlis is above all other ‎institutions. As the people's representative, the president is obliged to execute legislation passed ‎by the Majlis. On the other hand, a new perspective which has developed recently, and which is ‎against the constitution and Islamic Republic, says that the president is people's representative ‎and has the right to rule on every aspect of life and this is incorrect. ‎

R: Why is it that Mr. Haddad Adel reacted to Ahmadinejad's undermining of the Majlis after ‎two and half years? ‎

SJ: I think it was the norm for the Majlis to oblige itself to cooperate with the administration and ‎solve its differences peacefully. But when the issue becomes so public the Majlis takes it upon ‎itself to defend its reputation. Up to now, issues were solved through dialogue. Now the ‎supreme leader has to interfere.‎

R: There are rumors that Mr. Haddad Adel's reaction was for campaigning purposes?‎

SJ: Any positive action that purports to institute the rule of law and give power back to people is ‎a good action, even if it is for campaigning. It is the right thing to do even if it is for campaigning ‎purposes if it benefits the people. ‎

R: Do you think the hardliner majority faction in the Majlis has reached the conclusion that it ‎must keep its distance from Ahmadinejad ahead of the upcoming elections? ‎

SJ: In general, the Majlis must be responsive to the people and is the first institution that bears ‎the brunt of public opinion. Therefore, it is natural that it moves in line with the public opinion. ‎Representatives ask their constituents for votes and must behave in accordance with their wishes. ‎