TEH RAN, Iran — A proposal by the nation’s supreme leader to radically alter Iran’s constitution and abolish the presidency is drawing criticism.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was appointed supreme leader for life in 1989 by Shiite Muslim clerics, said in a speech last week that, if deemed appropriate, Iran could do without a president.
The post is currently held by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose 2009 re-election was disputed by opponents and led to months of street protests.
Former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said publicly Tuesday that the proposal strongly undermines the ideal of an Islamic republic, in which the people elect their leaders.
Ahmadinejad said in a speech Tuesday, “We will not respond, but know that the nation is awake.” He was vague on whether he was specifically addressing the proposal to eliminate his position.
