By Nader Uskowi
Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani today registered to run for another
term as president in the 14 June election. The long-anticipated decision came
only minutes before the deadline.
Rafsanjani will now be the frontrunner in the race and his entry would
change the composition of the race significantly. The ‘principlist’
(conservative) groups who have fielded a number of candidates are now expected
to attempt uniting behind a single candidate capable to challenge Rafsanjani.
The name most discussed is Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the mayor of Tehran.
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, 78 years old, has served as president of Iran
for eight years (1989-1997); as speaker of Majlis for nine years (1980-1989)
and was the de facto commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces
during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). He is currently the chairman
of the Expediency Council. A new Rafsanjani presidency would be seen as the complete repudiation
of eight years of hardline policies championed by Ahmadinejad and a new
beginning to bring normalcy to the country’s economy and its foreign
relations.
Iran’s 2013 Presidential Election Series:
Part I: Running for President
Part II: Supreme Leadership Redefined
File photo: Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani (left) with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (khamenei.ir)
12 comments:
Now this will get interesting ...
Now is the time to prop your feet up, grab a glass of your favorite poison and watch the greatest show on earth as the presidential campaign commence .... Cannot wait!
video
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=154803894697626&set=vb.562801880402990&type=2&theater
Oops! I meant to say "your favourite yogurt drink".
Good tactical move by the establishment.
This way all will be mobilized to participate, and apathy (what Pahlavis entourage were hoping for) is herewith out of the question.
The MKO women should be Irans biggest worry, they come and limp around calling all my son and sweetheart, and carry a weapon in their large handbags with their hands in them. Without having to pull it out they fire at people in gatheings and cause havoc and suspicions.. (RIP Neda)
I hope people of Iran are vigilant and not constantly look for a basiji type if such things happen but go for the clean shaven and women with large handbags ;) .
Back to the race, I doubt he brings more than 35% but the issue is he is over the age of limit and probably recons with the disqualification and maybe hopes for a backlash. The order his brother brought from Iraq were probably from the green zone lool.
fortunate Kermanshahi and the proudest Iranian (I am a Ghalinaf voter)
Now everything depends on if Mashie can enter the race or not. If mashie gets into the race I think the best scenario for conservatives is to repeat the 84 election. The best thing about that style (for them) is the convenience of manipulating the votes (you don't need to replace several million votes it is just enough to replace several hundred thousands which is doable) and then hope to win the race in the second round. It is difficult to imagine that conservatives can agree on one candidates in this election. Different factions are too divided and it seems some of the more moderates will join Rafsanjani
My prediction is that Qalibaf who is a war veteran and a good sound administrator will win. Rafsanjani is widely detested for his corruption and family fortune. It will be like back to the future.
Jalili is Sepah's candidate. I think he will remain in the race
The next question is how many candidates will be qualified for the ballot?
Also, if Rasfanjani and Meshaei are qualified to be on the ballot, what will their respective campaign styles be like? Rasfanjani's 2005 "American style campaign effort (complete with car bumper stickers) was widely seen as a failure. And will Meshaei replicate an Ahmadinejad grass roots style campaign with Ahmadinejad at his side?
Qalibaf is much liked in Tehran for his efficiency and civic developments. Will this be enough to win over the entire country?
Many questions to ask going into one of the most interesting elections ever.
Now the pro Khamenei-people must decide between Qalibaf or Jalili; it seems their heart tends toward Jalili and their brain toward Qalibaf; the problem of Jalili is that he has no success to show up in his reference; but he is a religious zombie of the kind which Khamenei/Mesbah like; it will be intersting to see how the conservatives can handle their own internal differences; the next thing to watch is whether Mashaei will get the final approval for his candidacy; because if he gets approved the pro Khamenei candidates will have a rough ride ....
Mr. S. Jalili could be a very interesting choice too.
He is a veteran, who lost his leg during the previous war and possesses diplomatic skills and a foreign respect.
A-F
I agree that it could be a rough ride if Mr. Mashaei gets into the final round of presidential election.
Mr. Jalili can show successes as a skilled chairman of the negotiating team, who secured additional time for defenses of the Islamic Republic.
Conservatives may handle their own internal differences, by offering; in advance, ministerial or vice presidential posts, before final round or results of presidential elections.
A-F
P.S. would you please, if interested, to check my May9,10, 2013 comments, if they were posted at the article containing a photo of the Rasht's air terminal.
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