Leader urges focus on economy, culture as Iran inaugurates 11th Parliament

Addressing Iran’s new lawmakers, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has highlighted culture and economy as the country’s most pressing issues, which require the newly-inaugurated Parliament’s highest-level of attention.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the comments in a statement issued on Wednesday on the occasion of the inauguration of Iran’s Eleventh Parliament (Majlis) in Tehran.

The ceremony was also attended by President Hassan Rouhani, Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi, and Major General Mohammad Baqeri, the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, among other government officials.

In the statement, the Leader said the new Parliament's inauguration displays the successful implementation of “Islamic democracy” in the country.

Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the Iranian nation for their “diligence and motivation” in electing the new legislature and congratulated the parliamentarians on securing the nation’s approval.

Citing the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini, the Leader said Majlis stands “at the forefront” of the country’s affairs.

The legislative body, Ayatollah Khamenei said, is duty-bound to pave the way for the adoption of the laws that serve as the country’s path towards its desired “pinnacles and destinations.”

The Leader, therefore, urged the lawmakers to bring into force “the right, apt, and workable” legislation that would empower “the country to attain its sublime goals.”

In order to correctly perform their duties, the lawmakers have to properly identify the country’s priorities through expert analysis, maintain their active engagement, and avoid misusing the position and resources that have been trusted with them, the statement noted.

The legislators, it added, should not allow harmful, personal, and factional affairs to interfere with their performance.

“You respectable representatives are the ones, who can grant Majlis a decent standing,” Ayatollah Khamenei observed.

Topmost priorities

Ayatollah Khamenei said today’s topmost priorities were “culture and economy,” advising the Parliament to place the main planks of the national economy — including  employment, production, and the national currency’s value — high on its agenda.

“The general policies of the Resistance Economy serve as a credible guideline in this area,” the statement added, referring to a well-known economic course of action devised by the Leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed certitude that commitment to such principles and other momentous guidelines would “prove to the Iranian nation that they have made the right choices [by electing the parliamentarians],” and further motivate them to participate in upcoming elections.

‘Govt.-Majlis cooperation fights off US, coronavirus’

Addressing the inaugural event, President Hassan Rouhani likewise called the lawmaking body the symbol of “religious democracy.”

Rouhani voiced confidence that the government and the parliament would, in cooperation with one another, hearten the nation and frustrate the country’s enemies.

Such cooperation would enable the executive and legislative branches of the government to confront America’s “sanctions and provocations” as well as the new coronavirus outbreak, he said.

The chief executive advised the lawmakers to always keep in mind prioritizing national interests over factional and political interests in order to optimize their performance.

The country holds the parliamentary polls every four years.

This year, the elections were held on February 21, taking 279 lawmakers, including 17 women, into the legislature. A second round is expected to be held in September for the remaining 11 elective seats.

This parliament’s lawmakers include 223 MPs from the Principlist camp, 18 Reformists, and 38 independents.

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