Iran: Rouhani praises 'people power' after elections

Iran: Rouhani praises 'people power' after elections

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has earned an emphatic vote of confidence and reformist partners secured surprise gains in parliament in early results from elections that could accelerate the Islamic Republic's emergence from years of isolation.

As of Sunday morning, latest results showed reformist candidates have taken 29 of the 30 seats in the capital Tehran, while Rouhani and his ally former president Hashemi Rafsanjani lead the winners in the assembly of experts, which is responsible for selecting the country's next supreme leader.

A Reuters tally, based on official but partial results, also showed independents winning 44 seats, reformists 79, and hardliners 106 in the 290-seat parliament.

A Reuters tally, based on official but partial results, also showed independents winning 44 seats, reformists 79, and hardliners 106 in the 290-seat parliament.
Iran's conservatives rally their supporters ahead of elections

A number of seats will be decided in run-offs in late April because no candidate won the required 25 percent of votes cast. Eight of the initial winners were women.

A loosening of control by the anti-Western hardliners who currently dominate the parliament could strengthen Rouhani's hand to open Iran further to foreign trade and investment following last year's breakthrough nuclear deal.

"The people showed their power once again and gave more credibility and strength to their elected government," Rouhani said, adding he would work with anyone who won election to build a future for the industrialised, oil-exporting country.

The polls were seen by analysts as a potential turning point for Iran, where nearly 60 percent of its 80 million population is under 30 and eager to engage with the world following the lifting of most sanctions.

Nearly 33 million people voted to elect representatives to parliament and the country's highest clerical body.

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The highlights -
* - Close to record turnout.
* - Reformist candidates have taken 29 of the 30 seats in the capital Tehran.
* - Independents winning 44 seats, reformists 79, and hardliners 106 in the 290-seat parliament.
* - Eight of the initial winners were women.
* - Some races are moving to run off elections.

Most importantly, at least imo -
Until now, the contest for this seat of clerical power was an unremarkable event, but not this time. Because of Khamenei's health and age, 76, the new assembly members who serve eight-year terms are likely to choose his successor. The next leader could well be among those elected this week.

* - The council charged with appointing a new spiritual leader had 14 of its 16 seats go to reformers.

* - The guardian council still has to review the results and certify the elections.

This appears to be a big win for the Iranian people.

What's all this mean for the region?

originally posted by: onequestion
What's all this mean for the region?

Iran is still run by a majority who believe in a sky pixie and this:

This appears to be a big win for the Iranian people.

I thought the same for iraqi people when Saddam was removed, I thought the same for libians whe gaddaffi was removed, in the end it seems the truth is that change only means internal struggle that weakens the country and diminish their ability to face threats.

Sometimes a tyrannical despot is the best, no matter how backwards it seems

a reply to: Indigent

Reform and change has to start somewhere...

Is the 3rd time the charm or do bad things come in 3?

a reply to: Xcathdra

Is any of the Arab spring countries better now than before reform and change?

Eta, I always heard of the Arab spring, but this is the first time I see the Arab winter not much propaganda on that

a reply to: Indigent

Tunisia...

Secondly why is it impossible citizens in those countries are incapable of forcing change on their own? We seem to see it occurring in Iran (which is the topic so lets not drift to far from it).

a reply to: Xcathdra

It's not impossible they already did their Iranian revolution, why you don't like it?

Is not western enought?, perhaps those non western countries don't work well with foreign principles

a reply to: Indigent

What the hell are you talking about?

a reply to: Xcathdra

I already said it, just because we don't like their stuff and it's not like us does not mean they have to change to something more like us because in the end it doesn't work for them

a reply to: Indigent

I believe my post is the opposite of what you are suggesting. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with what a government does and God knows I have had that issue with Obama and the beltway clampetts the last 8 years.

I have pointed out numerous times my issue is with their government and not the Iranian people. I believe their government was holding back the Iranian people and I hope this election is whats needed to get real reform.

a reply to: Xcathdra

And all I'm saying is no matter how bad they are and how much they hate their government a reform may be the worst thing they could do, as it has happened in all the Arab spring countries except the ones they repressed it, and tunisia (if not going into civil war is success)

originally posted by: onequestion
What's all this mean for the region?

Lets start with hoping for lots more freedom for women and much less death for gays

a reply to: Xcathdra

I can hear Netanyahu grinding his teeth from here.

Great news and on the face of it another step forward for Iran , I hope positivity can radiate from Iran to other parts of the region.

a reply to: onequestion

Much less 'I hate America!' Much more desire to alleviate sanctions still in place and prevent new sanctions from being imposed or brought back, meaning greater willingness to do as we ask.

They may not become a strong ally but they're going to become less of an enemy.

a reply to: Xcathdra

Some good news. I like that. Yes, big win for the Iranian people.

originally posted by: links234
They may not become a strong ally but they're going to become less of an enemy.

Doesn't matter if they put Pope Frances in office. Nothing is going to change until they get rid of that God-awful Khomeini. He's the one who enforces all the dastardly deeds, and why they are so out of step with the rest of the world.

a reply to: angeldoll



This should help explain the Iranian elections. Khomeini will likely die in the next decade and the people tasked with replacing him have been voted out by more moderate people.

a reply to: Xcathdra

And what of Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei ?


He runs the show no?

a reply to: infolurker

I posted the video to help explain this. I even mentioned it in the paragraph below the video.