This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/29/guardian-view-iran-elections-people-views-clear

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The Guardian view on Iran’s elections: the people make their views very clear The Guardian view on Iran’s elections: the people make their views very clear
(6 months later)
Whenever Iranians are given the chance to express their views in elections they nearly always vote for the most moderate candidates available. When the authorities contrive to prevent moderates standing, the voters choose the least conservative candidates, and if those results are rigged they come back to the polling booths next time and obstinately choose moderates again. That democratic determination was demonstrated anew over the weekend in the elections for the majlis, or parliament, and for the assembly of experts, which has a number of key constitutional roles.Whenever Iranians are given the chance to express their views in elections they nearly always vote for the most moderate candidates available. When the authorities contrive to prevent moderates standing, the voters choose the least conservative candidates, and if those results are rigged they come back to the polling booths next time and obstinately choose moderates again. That democratic determination was demonstrated anew over the weekend in the elections for the majlis, or parliament, and for the assembly of experts, which has a number of key constitutional roles.
Candidates linked to President Hassan Rouhani swept the board in Tehran and did well in other large cities. Conservatives did better in small towns. Because of the way constituencies are organised so that big cities other than Tehran are underrepresented, conservatives will remain a major force in the majlis, but it is probable that a majority of Iranians, in population terms, voted for the moderate and reformist camp.Candidates linked to President Hassan Rouhani swept the board in Tehran and did well in other large cities. Conservatives did better in small towns. Because of the way constituencies are organised so that big cities other than Tehran are underrepresented, conservatives will remain a major force in the majlis, but it is probable that a majority of Iranians, in population terms, voted for the moderate and reformist camp.
Given the obstacles that were put in their way, this is quite an achievement. The Iranian conservatives, sometimes known as principlists, had combed through the candidate lists for both parliament and assembly, removing every centrist and liberal they could. They used state TV and radio ruthlessly and leaned on what semi-independent media exist. They warned and lectured and fulminated. The result was an election that was stage-managed in almost every way, but this was nevertheless a play that did not end in the manner conservatives wanted. It is an old story in Iranian politics. Time and again conservative candidates for office have failed, sometimes miserably, and moderates, including outsiders, have succeeded.Given the obstacles that were put in their way, this is quite an achievement. The Iranian conservatives, sometimes known as principlists, had combed through the candidate lists for both parliament and assembly, removing every centrist and liberal they could. They used state TV and radio ruthlessly and leaned on what semi-independent media exist. They warned and lectured and fulminated. The result was an election that was stage-managed in almost every way, but this was nevertheless a play that did not end in the manner conservatives wanted. It is an old story in Iranian politics. Time and again conservative candidates for office have failed, sometimes miserably, and moderates, including outsiders, have succeeded.
The reason is that two broad forces contend in Iran. Conservatives – religiously strict, suspicious of the outside world, guardians of the revolutionary heritage (or of their version of it), instinctively authoritarian, and with old-fashioned views on gender – hold most of the levers of power. But Iran has been autonomously modernising for decades. It is plugged in to the latest developments in the west and to the Iranian diaspora, and wants to engage the world rather than keep it at arm’s length. Women flood into higher education in spite of restrictions and are in the workforce in large numbers; marriage is more equal. When Iranians vote for moderates they are saying they want a political system congruent with society as it exists. They don’t get it, but they keep open the possibility that one day it will come.The reason is that two broad forces contend in Iran. Conservatives – religiously strict, suspicious of the outside world, guardians of the revolutionary heritage (or of their version of it), instinctively authoritarian, and with old-fashioned views on gender – hold most of the levers of power. But Iran has been autonomously modernising for decades. It is plugged in to the latest developments in the west and to the Iranian diaspora, and wants to engage the world rather than keep it at arm’s length. Women flood into higher education in spite of restrictions and are in the workforce in large numbers; marriage is more equal. When Iranians vote for moderates they are saying they want a political system congruent with society as it exists. They don’t get it, but they keep open the possibility that one day it will come.
Related: Iran election results put Hassan Rouhani on cautious path to reform
President Rouhani led the way, first of all by his own election in 2013 as a centrist endorsed by moderates, and then by steering the nuclear negotiations with the west to a successful conclusion. Conservatives did not want the nuclear deal, distrusting the United States as they do, and also seeing the deal as likely to reduce in time the influence of the giant military-industrial complex controlled by the Revolutionary Guards, ultimate bastion of the Iranian right. Most ordinary people, by contrast, wanted to see an end to sanctions and to an era of hostile relations with countries with which they feel they have a lot in common. President Rouhani will rightly see these elections as a personal triumph, but he will have to tread carefully. His new supporters in the majlis include many who are moderates only in name. He must maintain good relations with the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, part of the conservative camp if not its formal chief. He must also prepare the way for a difficult transition if a new supreme leader has to be chosen.President Rouhani led the way, first of all by his own election in 2013 as a centrist endorsed by moderates, and then by steering the nuclear negotiations with the west to a successful conclusion. Conservatives did not want the nuclear deal, distrusting the United States as they do, and also seeing the deal as likely to reduce in time the influence of the giant military-industrial complex controlled by the Revolutionary Guards, ultimate bastion of the Iranian right. Most ordinary people, by contrast, wanted to see an end to sanctions and to an era of hostile relations with countries with which they feel they have a lot in common. President Rouhani will rightly see these elections as a personal triumph, but he will have to tread carefully. His new supporters in the majlis include many who are moderates only in name. He must maintain good relations with the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, part of the conservative camp if not its formal chief. He must also prepare the way for a difficult transition if a new supreme leader has to be chosen.
He will not lean too far in the reformist direction, and probably is at one with many of those who voted for him, who want a middle way. Those who expect rapid movement on human rights, or in foreign policy, are likely to be disappointed. But his hand has been strengthened, and the Iranian people have signalled very clearly in what direction they wish their society to go.He will not lean too far in the reformist direction, and probably is at one with many of those who voted for him, who want a middle way. Those who expect rapid movement on human rights, or in foreign policy, are likely to be disappointed. But his hand has been strengthened, and the Iranian people have signalled very clearly in what direction they wish their society to go.