Iran’s parliament speaker calls for seats for expatriates
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, proposed that one representative for Iranians living abroad be allocated to the parliament for each continent.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, proposed that one representative for Iranians living abroad be allocated to the parliament for each continent.
He made the proposal on Wednesday during a meeting with Iranians residing in Azerbaijan, where he partook in the Asian Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.
"We believe that for each continent, one Iranian living abroad should come to the parliament as a representative and, with seasonal or monthly visits to their constituency, follow up on the issues of Iranians residing abroad through embassies or consulates," he said.
Ghalibaf pointed out that despite the population of approximately six million Iranians living abroad, they have no representation in the parliament, while religious minorities with much smaller populations have members.
The speaker stressed the necessity of hearing the voices of Iranians abroad in the parliament, saying that this requires institutional and structural work and the implementation of all legal regulations for holding elections.
He said that this measure could pave the way for investment from abroad, adding that it would establish a systematic connection with Iranian citizens who live outside of Iran but are devoted to their homeland.
According to Ghalibaf, the reform will be continued in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He sidestepped the issue of conflicting loyalties, though naturalization processes in many countries require an oath of allegiance to the new nation.
While dual citizens can serve in their original country's parliament, the potential for divided loyalties remains a complex issue, addressed differently by various countries.
