If you believe the current rhetoric then the government system of Iran is completely unpopular and indeed non democratic, but if you delve beneath the surface things are a bit more nuanced.
Currently this manifests itself into a regime where there are religious, as well as political leaders, with elections not only taking place, but having a massive effect on how the country is run. That though is also not to say that it is exactly Switzerland either.
Table of Contents
What is the official government system of Iran?
Iran is officially an Islamic Republic, a system established after the 1979 revolution and set out in the constitution adopted the same year. It combines republican institutions with clerical oversight. At the top of the structure sits the Supreme Leader, who is head of state and has ultimate authority over the armed forces, judiciary, state media and key appointments.
The executive branch is led by the President, who heads the government and appoints ministers, subject to parliamentary approval. The legislature is the Islamic Consultative Assembly, commonly known as the Majlis, which has 290 seats. Members are elected by popular vote to four year terms. There is also the Guardian Council, made up of 12 members, six clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists approved by parliament. This body reviews legislation and vets candidates for elections. The Assembly of Experts, consisting of 88 elected clerics serving eight year terms, appoints and supervises the Supreme Leader.
Parliamentary and Presidential elections?
Presidential elections are held every four years. The President is elected by direct popular vote and may serve two consecutive four year terms. Candidates must register and are then vetted by the Guardian Council. Only those approved appear on the ballot. If no candidate wins over 50 percent in the first round, a runoff is held between the top two contenders.
Parliamentary elections are also held every four years for the 290 seat Majlis. Representatives are elected from multi member and single member constituencies across the country. Five seats are reserved for officially recognised religious minorities. As with the presidency, candidates are screened before being allowed to stand. Voter turnout has historically been significant, although it fluctuates depending on the political climate.
Political groupings tend to operate as factions rather than rigid parties.
Principlists
Conservative factions supporting strong clerical authority and revolutionary values.
Reformists
Groups seeking gradual political and social reform within the Islamic Republic framework.
Moderates and Pragmatists
Politicians favouring economic reform and engagement abroad.
Who is the Ayatollah?
The Ayatollah in political terms refers to the Supreme Leader, the highest authority in Iran. Ayatollah is a senior rank within Shia Islam, granted to high level clerics. The Supreme Leader is appointed by the 88 member Assembly of Experts, which is itself elected by the public every eight years.
The office has no fixed term limit. The Supreme Leader oversees the armed forces, appoints the head of the judiciary, half of the Guardian Council, senior military commanders and key state officials. While the President manages the executive branch, the Supreme Leader sets the overall direction of the state and has the final say on major strategic matters.
Is Iran democratic?
In modern parlance what conforms to being democratic is a bit of a spicy motza ball. Iran would of course say that they are and they would not be all that wrong. As stated elections do happen in Iran and they do massively affect the direction of the country. That being said the Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah is not elected by the people.
In many ways though this is not so different from countries in the region, such as Jordan, or Kuwait. It also makes Iran far more democratic and some might argue more religiously free than states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Qatar. Yet unlike the aforementioned states Iran are not western allies, so while a blind eye is turned to those regimes, Iran is not afforded the same privilege.
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