<P> According to the sixth five - year development plan (2016 - 2021), the subsidy reform plan is to continue until 2021 . </P> <P> An amendment to the budget was passed in August 2016 . This amendment allows the government to issue debt based instruments and the use of forex reserves in an attempt to clear its debt to the private sector, including contractors, banks and insurers . </P> <P> According to the constitution, the Guardian Council oversees and approves electoral candidates for most national elections in Iran . The Guardian Council has 12 members, six clerics, appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists, elected by the Majlis from among the Muslim jurists nominated by the Head of the Judicial System, who is appointed by the Supreme Leader . According to the current law, the Guardian Council approves the Assembly of Experts candidates, who in turn supervise and elect the Supreme Leader . </P> <P> The reformists say this system creates a closed circle of power . Iranian reformists, such as Mohammad - Ali Abtahi have considered this to be the core legal obstacle for the reform movement in Iran . </P>

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