Iranian Government to Hold Referendum on Electoral Law

Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
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Iranian Government to Hold Referendum on Electoral Law

Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)
Two Iranians walk past a mural in one of Tehran’s streets on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 (EPA)

The Iranian government announced Wednesday it was preparing a new draft law for a referendum that would limit the powers of the Guardian Council of the Constitution.

The 12-member Guardian Council consists of six Muslim clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and six lawyers elected by parliament. It is charged with ensuring that draft laws do not contradict with religious laws or Iran’s constitution and overseeing elections and legislation.

Iranian president's assistant for legal affairs Laya Junaidi made the announcement and was quoted by news agencies as saying that the bill will be presented to the Iranian cabinet to set the framework for overseeing the Guardian Council.

She pointed to differences between the government and the Guardian Council in interpreting the task of corrective oversight.

“Any interpretation must respect the boundaries when implemented, she stressed, adding that “if it causes the prohibition, restriction, and loss of rights, the original right must be taken into consideration.”

Electoral campaigns will be launched on Thursday (today), eight days before the Iranians head to the ballot boxes to vote, amid fears of declining turnout.

President Hassan Rouhani slammed on Tuesday the disqualification of thousands of people, including 90 current lawmakers, from running in upcoming parliamentary elections.

Most of those rejected were reformist and moderate candidates who were disqualified due to “financial problems,” a reference to embezzlement and corruption.

He indirectly called for the need to hold a referendum in the country over a new system of rule amid internal criticism of the Supreme Leader’s control over state affairs and agencies, vastly exceeding the power of the government.

The President said the current system is based on the “will of the people” and the “referendum.”

He issued an order on Feb. 7 to submit a regulation on “reforming the supervision of the elections.”

Rouhani’s orders came in response to a message by the “Union of the Nation of Iran” - the largest reformist party - which asked the Iranian president, a few days ago, to submit a draft-law to conduct a referendum on the supervision of the Guardian Council.

The Union of the Nation of Iran party took advantage of Rouhani’s statements about the need to hold a referendum and urged him to return to the public opinion on sensitive issues, such as economy, politics, society, and culture.



Norway Refuses to Toughen Investment Rules in Israeli Companies

 This picture shows the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank (foreground) and the Israeli settlement of Shilo (background) on June 1, 2025. (AFP)
This picture shows the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank (foreground) and the Israeli settlement of Shilo (background) on June 1, 2025. (AFP)
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Norway Refuses to Toughen Investment Rules in Israeli Companies

 This picture shows the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank (foreground) and the Israeli settlement of Shilo (background) on June 1, 2025. (AFP)
This picture shows the Palestinian village of Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank (foreground) and the Israeli settlement of Shilo (background) on June 1, 2025. (AFP)

The Norwegian parliament on Wednesday rejected moves to toughen rules on its sovereign wealth fund investing in companies operating in the occupied West Bank.

Lawmakers voted by 88 to 16 against a proposal to order the fund to withdraw from companies "that contribute to Israel's war crimes and the illegal occupation" of the West Bank.

Norway's sovereign wealth fund, fueled by vast revenue from the country's oil and gas exports, is the biggest the world and has nearly $1.65 trillion invested around the globe.

The government though is under pressure to use its financial clout to influence Israeli policy in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, where its settlement policy has been deemed illegal under international law.

In a letter signed by about 50 non-governmental organizations, Norway's main union LO called on the Labor government to ensure that the fund's investments were in line with the country's legal obligations.

The UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories on May 20 urged Oslo to "fully and unconditionally divest from all entities linked to Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory".

Francesca Albanese said Norway's fund held $121.5 billion -- or 6.9 percent of its total value -- in companies "involved in supporting or enabling egregious violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territories".

Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg in response called for an end to violence, the liberation of Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, 2023 and the resumption of humanitarian aid.

But he said the fund's investments "do not violate Norway's obligations under international law".

The fund is regulated by a raft of ethical rules and has already divested from 11 companies because of their activities in the occupied West Bank.

In May, it withdrew its investment in Paz Retail and Energy, which distributes fuel in Israeli settlements.

Relations between Norway and Israel have soured since May 2024, when the country joined Spain and Ireland in recognizing the state of Palestine.