Iran elections: early results show reformists and moderates lead race

[Little Tich]

Source: The Guardian

Reports in two semi-official news agencies, Fars and Mehr, indicate hard-liners are the main losers in the vote

Votes are being counted in Iran’s hard-fought elections with the first unofficial results showing gains for supporters of President Hassan Rouhani that could help promote greater opening to the west and limited advances at home.

Friday’s polls for the parliament and the assembly of experts – its role is to choose the Islamic Republic’s clerical supreme leader – were extended for nearly six hours due to a turnout that was estimated to have been around 70% and which would likely favour the reformist-moderate camp.

The interior ministry said it had counted 25% of the results by Saturday morning, though a final tally is unlikely to be known before Monday. The preliminary turnout figure was 6o%, it said.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/27/reformists-and-moderates-lead-race-in-early-election-results

[ericson00]

1. when the "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" chants stop

as well as the money to Hamas, Hezbollah, etc. then I'll be impressed.

[Bad Dog]

3. I don't think they're trying to impress you.

When America can run a presidential campaign without one of the candidates talking about banning all Moslems from entering, imposing travel restrictions on those already resident and beefing up Guantanamo with new extra torture powers I'll be impressed.

America was instrumental in a coup that toppled a democratically elected government and installed the autocratic Shah. Israel helped the Shah maintain power. The Iranians have good reason to hate the Americans and Israelis.

What's important is that they're moving on, electing moderates who want to look forward, not backwards.

Imagine living in a World where there's no bogeyman to hate. Some find that prospect terrifying.

[iandhr]

9. Iran is a great place.

Only if you ignore the fact that women get stoned to death for adultery.

[Bad Dog]

10. America is a great place.

Only if you ignore the armed nutters who shoot up schools.

[rpannier]

5. I'll be more impressed when the US moves the 8-10 bases they have

in the countries surrounding Iran

[6chars]

2. who is the favorite to become Supreme Leader?

[Bad Dog]

4. The next Supreme Leader won't be chosen until the current one dies.

Or abdicates. And a lot will depend on who chooses him. Don't hold your breath, Liz has gone on for years and years.

[6chars]

6. "a lot will depend on who chooses him"

or her, right?

[Bad Dog]

7. Maybe.

Iran still is very patriarchal even though it's considerably better than Saudi Arabia. Talking about the next leader is tantamount to wishing the death of the current leader so I doubt there'll be any talk until he's actually dead.

I wouldn't be surprised if some paranoid element in the Republican Guard looks at our exchange and sees it as proof of Western plotting to remove the current leader.

[iandhr]

8. The term "moderate" is a little misleading.

Most of the true modreates are banned from seeking office by "The Gardian council" because they are deemed insufficienty "Islamic" They aren't allowed to run because the regime is well aware that if true reformists were allowed to run who want a relationship with the west they would win hands down.