Some of Iran’s most prominent hard-line lawmakers lost their seats, including many who tried to derail the nuclear agreement Rouhani’s government negotiated with world powers a year ago. But the election was less about who to elect than who not to elect, and the strategy pushed by the moderates-who outflanked the hardliners in what became a direct showdown between political forces in the country-was to urge the electorate to vote for their entire list, thereby filling all of the slots and shutting out the most hardline candidates.
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The Islamic Republic’s unique dual system of clerical and republican rule places decisive power in the hands of a conservative Islamic establishment, which has shown in the past its ability to reassert control when it feels threatened. “Rouhani, with help from the new parliament, should open doors to the world to bring in foreign investments”.
By winning 95 seats in the 290-member parliament – and with dozens still up for grabs in runoff elections or held by independents – the pro-Rouhani side secured a more cooperative legislature on at least some of the government’s policies.
And Amir Toumaj, an Iran expert at the Washington, DC-based think tank the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted in an interview that “while it is true that the reformist-backed ticket gained seats in the elections, this shouldn’t be declared a victory for reformists”.
“If I were a betting man, the current head of the judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, is a good candidate”, said Syracuse University’s Boroujerdi, “in the sense that he is young, 56 years of age and smart”.
However, several prominent hard-liners, including Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, were also re-elected.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iranian moderates have won a majority in the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that is tasked with choosing the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, and which was previously dominated by hard-liners.
“The competition is over and the phase of unity and cooperation has arrived”, state news agency IRNA quoted his key ally, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, as saying.
Almost 60 per cent of Iran’s 80 million citizens are under 30 – one of whom is this student.
Despite a host of handicaps, from mass disqualifications to a media blackout on top reformist leaders, a moderate-reformist coalition managed to maximize the result in their favor – giving a symbolic win that will enable Mr. Rouhani to pursue with greater determination his agenda of reaching out to the West and enhancing personal freedoms at home.
But even as Iranians went to the polls, the democratic character of Iran, its robust support for the Assad regime in Syria, and the moderate nature of its leadership remain heavily scrutinized. Moderates and reformists who support Iran’s nuclear deal took all 30 parliamentary seats in Tehran.
Despite overwhelming public support, Iran’s only reformist president Mohammad Khatami’s 1997-2005 tenure was crippled by crises and disputes with the Guards and other influential bodies, such as The Guardian Council, who blocked his legislative efforts after they had been passed by MPs. “The people showed their power once again and gave more credibility and strength to their elected government”, Rouhani said, according to DW.
“We want to import the industries and technology, not the products”, Mohebbian said.
The conservative views of some members of the list could tamp down reformists’ priorities, observers say.
The assembly also conducts much of its work in secret. Rouhani is unlikely to risk a direct confrontation with the powerful group, a major obstacle toward opening up the economy.
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This year’s election to the Assembly of Experts is seen as particularly important as members serve for eight years and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been in ill health.
