THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: The deep internal divides at the top of Iranian politics sharpened on Sunday when the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned he could do away with the presidency, currently held by his rival, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
In a speech, Ayatollah Khamenei made passing mention of the presidential system, which was his own route to power. "Presently, the country's ruling political system is a presidential one in which the president is directly elected by the people, making this a good and effective method," he said.
"However, if one day, probably in the distant future, it is deemed that the parliamentary system is more appropriate for the election of officials with executive power, there would be no problem in altering the current structure."
There is little chance of such a change before the next presidential elections are due in 2013. But his comments will be viewed, including by Mr Ahmadinejad himself, as a further warning against overstepping the limits of the authority he is granted under Iran's theocratic rule.
The Supreme Leader, appointed by an "Assembly of Experts", has final say in all major issues. Read on and comment » | Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent | Sunday, October 16, 2011
