| Vice President of Iran is defined by article 124 of the Iranian constitution, as anyone appointed by the President to lead an organization related to Presidential affairs. As of May 2009[update], there are 10 Vice Presidents in Iran. The First Vice President is the most important as he or she leads cabinet meetings in the absence of the president.[1] While the Constitution of Iran allows for vice presidents, their existence is not obligatory. The President may or may not choose vice presidents. The president may even not have a First Vice President. [edit] First Vice President The role of First Vice President was created in the revision of the Constitution of Iran in 1989. It took over some of the responsibilities of Prime Minister. According to Article 124, First Vice President will be chairing the board of ministers and coordinate the other vice presidencies, if let by the President. According to Article 131, First Vice President takes over as acting President in cases where the President in incapacitated, but only if permitted by the Supreme Leader. According to the same Article, First Vice President (or anyone serving as acting President) must make sure that a new president is elected in fifty days. According to Article 132, during the time an Acting President is serving (usually a First Vice President), the Majlis cannot impeach ministers and it can't disapprove newly-introduced ministers. Also, referendums and revisions to the Constitution are forbidden. The First Vice Presidents since creation of the office have been: - Hassan Habibi (1989-2001), under Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami
- Mohammad-Reza Aref (2001-2005), under Mohammad Khatami
- Parviz Davoodi (September 11, 2005-July 17, 2009), under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
- Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei (July 17-25, 2009), under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
- Mohammad Reza Rahimi (September 13, 2009-Present) under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
[edit] Current Vice Presidents [edit] References |
