The approval of new regulations for presidential candidacy has drawn fierce criticism from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The Iranian president spoke out against Parliament and the Expediency Council for approving regulations that, according to him, “go against the constitution of the Islamic Republic.”
After months of dispute between MPs and the administration, the new regulations for presidential candidacy were passed by Parliament 144 to 91 with 11 abstentions.
The new regulations set new criteria for the eligibility of presidential candidates by “political, religious and administrative figures.”
Presidential candidates are to have eight years of ministerial experience while also having references from 300 political figures attesting to their leadership qualities.
Ahmadinejad has criticized the new regulations, saying: “To say that someone cannot become a candidate unless they are approved by a number of people and his political views are approved by someone or his piety by another is to go against the constitution.”
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the new regulations are akin to appointing a president without the need for an election.
Iran’s next presidential election is slated for June 2013, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will not be eligible to run because he has served two consecutive terms.
