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Moral Principles and Norms of Legislators… M. M. Chegini & F. Pourkeyvan (85
leadership involves being alert and happiness of society. Actions should
proactive in the face of adversity. focus on the overall well-being of the
Prioritizing National Interests in public, suggesting that the displeasure
Parliamentary Decision-Making of a few can be overlooked if it results
Parliamentarians, though elected from in the satisfaction and benefit of the
specific regions or cities, must prioritize many. Decisions should always aim for
national interests over local or partisan the most extensive positive impact and
concerns in their legislative roles. This enduring outcomes, ensuring that the
means that while representatives may interests of the entire nation are
seek to address local needs, such considered and served (Sharīf al-Raḍī,
actions should align with and not letter No. 53).
contradict broader national priorities. Honesty
Similarly, adherence to party lines is Honesty and truthfulness are
appropriate only when these do not foundational moral virtues required of
conflict with the public good. The parliamentarians. Lying is seen as a
decision to support party programs significant ethical failing among
should be guided by their alignment members of parliament, to the extent
with national interests, rather than by that Hojjatul Islam Shojaei, the deputy
party loyalty alone (Allen, 2018, p. 45; head of the Board for Monitoring the
Demmke, 2012, p. 120 see also OECD, Behavior of Members of the Islamic
2021, chap. 4). Council, cites it as the most prevalent
The emphasis on prioritizing moral issue within the ranks of MPs.
national interests is a critical ethical Truthfulness is universally
standard, highlighted as one of the six recognized as a crucial moral trait and
core principles in the professional code holds a particularly revered place
of conduct of the French Parliament. within Islamic teachings. According to
This principle is not only a guideline in a saying from Amir al-Mu'minin,
secular governance but is also deeply truthfulness is the correctness of
rooted in Islamic teachings. Islamic everything and lying is the ruin of
principles instruct government officials everything (Sharīf al-Raḍī, sayings No.
to base their decisions on what benefits 53). This emphasizes that dishonesty
the majority of the population. Amir can undermine an individual’s integrity
al-Mu'minin’s advice to Malik Ashtar and effectiveness in any role, including
underscores this: he stresses that the governance. Parliament's key function,
most virtuous actions are those that as the primary democratic body elected
promote truth, justice, and the greater by the populace, is to foster public trust
