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“Soft” conservatives highlight Iran’s economic problems

— Photo: AFP

POLL TIMES: An Iranian woman walks past electoral leaflets in Tehran on Thursday.

DUBAI: Without questioning the fundamentals of the Iran’s Islamic revolution, a group of conservatives are calling for moderation, and challenging hardliners loyal to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran’s parliamentary polls on Friday.

These individuals, who are advocating Iran’s economic revival and greater willingness to engage abroad, are gathering around Iran’s former chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani.

Tehran’s Mayor and the former Revolutionary Guards commander, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Mohsen Rezai — another former Guards’ heavyweight, are key members of this group.

Analysts see the outcome as a referendum on the performance of the government of Mr. Ahmadinejad. The results of the polls are likely to set the tone for Iran’s next presidential election, where Mr. Ahmadinejad is likely to seek a second term.

The contest between hardliners and “soft” conservatives was assured, when Iran’s Guardian Council — a key body loyal to Ayatollah Khamenei, disqualified more than a 1,000 reformist candidates for standing in the elections. The former President, Mohammad Khatami, is the foremost representative of the reformists, who have been steadily marginalised since Mr. Ahmadinejad won the presidential elections.

The state of the economy has emerged as one of the focal areas of debate in the run up to the polls. Mr. Ahmadinejad’s government has been criticised for mismanaging the economy, despite acquiring a hefty oil revenue of $63 billion on account of the boom in global prices.

Mr. Qalibaf, who like Mr. Larijani stood against Mr. Ahmadinejad in the last presidential elections, has been advocating rapid economic modernisation. As Tehran Mayor, Mr. Qalibaf has been at the forefront of the city’s modernisation, which includes plans to construct a metro railway and revamping its architectural landscape under a development plan.

While backing the broad principles of nuclear policy, Mr. Larijani is believed to have supported a more nuanced approach towards negotiations with the West.

Observers say Mr. Ahmadinejad’s influence in Iran’s rural heartland and influential religious organisations such as the “Basij” cannot be underestimated. This is likely to help his supporters to perform creditably in the polls which are likely to witness a tight contest.

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