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Ahmadinejad's new pet phrase 'spring' infuriates Iranian establishment Ahmadinejad's new pet phrase 'spring' infuriates Iranian establishment
(about 7 hours later)
When millions across the world used the phrase "Arab spring" to describe pro-democracy movements in the Middle East, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made clear that he very much disapproved. Instead, he referred to those events as the Islamic awakening, with the intention of keeping a political uprising from crossing the borders into the Islamic republic. When millions across the world used the phrase "Arab spring" to describe pro-democracy movements in the Middle East, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made it clear he disapproved. Instead, he referred to those events as the Islamic awakening, with the intention of keeping a political uprising from crossing the borders into the Islamic republic.
But to the Ayatollah's dismay Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is increasingly using the word "spring" as what appears to be a campaign slogan for the man many believe he has chosen as his candidate in the upcoming presidential race. But to the ayatollah's dismay Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is increasingly using the word "spring" in what appears to be a campaign slogan for the man many believe he has chosen as his candidate in the forthcoming presidential race.
The president's speech at the UN general assembly in September 2012 was the first time he is known to have used what has now become his pet phrase, causing internal disputes and anger among his conservative rivals. "Long live this spring, long live this spring and long live this spring," he said at the UN podium in what was perceived to be one of his mildest public addresses during his seven years in office. The president has since repeated similar lines several times.The president's speech at the UN general assembly in September 2012 was the first time he is known to have used what has now become his pet phrase, causing internal disputes and anger among his conservative rivals. "Long live this spring, long live this spring and long live this spring," he said at the UN podium in what was perceived to be one of his mildest public addresses during his seven years in office. The president has since repeated similar lines several times.
In recent weeks it has become increasingly common to hear Ahmadinejad publicly using the word. After a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, when a reporter asked if the president had any news for people, he responded: "What is a better and prettier news than the fact that spring is coming. The time of sorrow is going away and, God willing, the next year will be a good and successful year for all Iranians." 21 March, marking the spring equinox, is the beginning of the Persian new year, Nowruz, which is a 13-day ancient Zoroastrian festival celebrated as the most important holiday of the Iranian calendar. The presidential elections, scheduled for 14 June, are taking place in the final days of the season. It has become common to hear Ahmadinejad publicly using the word. After a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, when a reporter asked if he had any news for people, he replied: "What is a better and prettier news than the fact that spring is coming. The time of sorrow is going away and, God willing, the next year will be a good and successful year for all Iranians."
Ahmadinejad's critics widely believe that the president, who is prevented under Iranian law from running for a third term, is pursuing a Putin/Medvedev-style reshuffle by grooming his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, as his possible successor. March 20, marking the spring equinox, is the start of the Persian new year – Nowruz – a 13-day ancient Zoroastrian festival celebrated as the most important holiday of the Iranian calendar. The presidential elections, scheduled for 14 June, are taking place in the final days of the season.
Mashaei, a close confidant of Ahmadinejad and his relative, is accused of advocating nationalism, greater cultural openness and attempting to undermine clerical rule, especially the supremacy of Khamenei. Opponents say that Mashaei is the head of a "deviant current" within the president's inner circle who has little respect for the supreme leader, although he denies it. Ahmadinejad's critics believe the president, who is prevented under Iranian law from running for a third term, is pursuing a Putin/Medvedev-style reshuffle by grooming his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, as his possible successor.
If Mashaei does put his name forward for the presidential vote, the powerful pro-Khamenei Guardian Council will have to vet his candidacy. Many believe that he will not be allowed to run, while others say Ahmadinejad will threaten to go out with all guns firing if that happens. Mashaei, a confidant of Ahmadinejad and his relative, is accused of advocating nationalism, greater cultural openness and attempting to undermine clerical rule, especially the supremacy of Khamenei. Opponents say that Mashaei is the head of a "deviant current" within the president's inner circle and he has little respect for the supreme leader, although he denies it. If Mashaei does put his name forward for the presidential vote, the powerful pro-Khamenei Guardian Council will have to vet his candidacy. Many believe he will not be allowed to run, while others say Ahmadinejad will threaten to go out with all guns firing if that happens.
Last week, in a ceremony held before Nowruz, Ahmadinejad awarded Mashaei the country's highest official cultural medal. Both men were recorded as having used spring in their speeches. Keyhan, an ultra-conservative newspaper whose director is appointed directly by Khamenei, has attacked the men for their repeated references to spring, which it said could have un-Islamic connotations. Last week, in a ceremony held before Nowruz, Ahmadinejad awarded Mashaei the country's highest cultural medal. Both men were recorded as using spring in their speeches. Keyhan, an ultra-conservative newspaper with a director appointed by Khamenei, has attacked the men for repeated references to spring, which it said could have un-Islamic connotations.
Senior figures associated with the elite revolutionary guards have also voiced criticism of Ahmadinejad's catchphrase. Mohammad Esmail Kowsari, an MP, has warned that the president might be open to accusations of engineering the elections. Another MP, Mohammad Hassan Asafari, said "long live the spring" was used by the "deviants". In response to the criticism, Ahmadinejad has said the use of spring merely referred to the revered Shia figure hidden Imam Mahdi. Meanwhile, local newspapers reported that Tehran's municipality has banned the word spring from being used in billboards across the Iranian capital. Senior figures associated with the elite revolutionary guards have also voiced criticism of Ahmadinejad's catchphrase. Mohammad Esmail Kowsari, an MP, has warned that the president might be accused of engineering the elections. Another MP, Mohammad Hassan Asafari, said "long live the spring" was used by the "deviants". In response to the criticism, Ahmadinejad has said the use of spring merely referred to the revered Shia figure hidden Imam Mahdi. Meanwhile, local newspapers reported that Tehran's municipality has banned the word spring from being used in billboards across the Iranian capital.
Some analysts say that Ahmadinejad is trying to attract the popular vote by creating his own version of an Iranian spring that is aimed at highlighting nationalism. By infuriating the establishment, some say, in fact Ahmadinejad is intending to draw attention from voters sympathetic to the Iranian opposition and reformers.Some analysts say that Ahmadinejad is trying to attract the popular vote by creating his own version of an Iranian spring that is aimed at highlighting nationalism. By infuriating the establishment, some say, in fact Ahmadinejad is intending to draw attention from voters sympathetic to the Iranian opposition and reformers.
Ahmadinejad has also been recently accused of a series of "inappropriate" and "un-Islamic" behaviours, such as saying that Hugo Chávez will be resurrected with Jesus and embracing the mother of the former Venezuelan president at his funeral, which, some believe, could have been an intentional move in order to showcase openness.Ahmadinejad has also been recently accused of a series of "inappropriate" and "un-Islamic" behaviours, such as saying that Hugo Chávez will be resurrected with Jesus and embracing the mother of the former Venezuelan president at his funeral, which, some believe, could have been an intentional move in order to showcase openness.