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BBC World News just reported President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suffered a major defeat in Tehran and major cities in local elections.
Iran's moderate former President Akbar Hashemi
Rafsanjani has won election to Iran's powerful
clerical body, the Assembly of Experts.
With more than half the votes counted, Mr Rafsanjani, who was defeated in the 2005 presidential election, had a clear lead at the top of the list.
The election – and simultaneous local polls – was seen as a test of support for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Early results suggest liberals and moderates have regained some influence.
LATEST NEWS (AFP):
Ahmadinejad allies trail in Iran vote battlegrounds
Update [2006-12-18 14:15 PST by Oui]
TEHRAN (CBS/AP) Dec. 18 — Ahmadinejad’s list has suffered a decisive defeat nationwide,” said the Islamic Iran Participation Front, the largest reformist party. “It is a big no to the government’s authoritarian and inefficient methods.”
In some cities such as Shiraz and Bandar Abbas, not one pro-Ahmadinejad candidate won a council seat, according to partial results announced by the Interior Ministry.
In Tehran, candidates supporting Mayor Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, a moderate conservative, were on track to win seven of 15 council seats. Reformists were set to win four, while Ahmadinejad’s allies had three, partial results showed. The last seat was likely to go to an independent.
Similar anti-Ahmadinejad sentiment was visible in a parallel election for members of the Assembly of Experts, a body of 86 senior clerics that monitors Iran’s supreme leader and chooses his successor.
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For the Western World, democratic elections are not to be taken at face value, only for results to our liking: not the Hamas victory in Palestine but rather the vote (1%) in United Arab Emirates (Dubai-Adu Dhabi-et al).
Emirati Amal Abdullah al-Qubaissispeaks to the press after being elected
to an advisory council (AFP)
U.S. administration is adamant, Hamas must recognize the state of Israel, or be marginalized. I wonder if this demand is also valid for U.S. client states like Saudi Arabia?
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Hi Oui, this is good news. I think Ahmadinejad shot himself in the foot with his whole Holocaust Conference. I know Iran was trending more progressive and open until bush put them on the idiotic Axis of Evil list. I’m sure Ahmadinejad winning election was a backlash to some extent for our misguided policy towards Iran. At least he doesn’t really have any power.
Hi Oui, me too, I think it is very good news that you report. NOw if they can get the president of Iran to quit, and they can elect someone who has some credibility, we are in shape for making some progress. Oui, it is good to see you again. hugs
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TEHRAN, Iran (Time) Dec. 20 — The rejection of his candidates in municipal elections highlights the domestic weaknesses of Iran’s fiery president.
The latest events in Iran could spell trouble for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s hold on power. During a speech to students at Tehran’s Amir Khabir University, hecklers shouted “Death to the dictator!” and burned his photograph in effigy. Then, voters in municipal elections held nationwide rejected candidates he supported in favor of hopefuls backed by pragmatic conservatives and reformists. Both developments illustrate that while Ahmadinejad’s radical, assertive policies have made him a formidable global figure, he still has a long way to go in consolidating his influence at home.
Less than halfway into his four-year term, many Iranians are griping about rising inflation and the economic and political risks in isolating Iran from the West.
FILLING THE VOID OF DWINDLING U.S. INFLUENCE
Coming at a time of dwindling American influence in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, Ahmadinejad’s leadership is an (has been -Oui) emblem of a resurgent Iran that is assuming a role as a major regional power.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."