Iran: Legislative elections locked down by conservatives

Iranian conservatives will emerge victorious from Friday’s legislative elections but the victory could be very bitter.

The restriction of freedoms and the surge in inflation discourage some Iranian voters.

The Reform Front opposition coalition is not participating in the vote, the opposition in exile is calling for a boycott and analysts expect a high rate of abstention.

Ahmad Zeidabadi, political analyst: “Ignoring the elections is the result of lack of confidence in the ability of the entire system to solve problems. Until a decision is made at the top and a determination to solve the problems is not proven, I think that many people will no longer go to the polling stations.”

Iranians must elect the 290 deputies of Parliament, the Majlis, and the 88 members of the Assembly of Experts, the clerics responsible for appointing and possibly dismissing the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In practice, most of the power in Iran resides in his hands// and he is traditionally the first voter to cast his ballot in the ballot box.

Tahoora Noroozi, hardline candidate: “The people are not only desperate, but they also think that the situation will not change at all. They are disappointed with any possible change, it is very sad.”

Iranians remember the very heavy toll of the repression of the 2022 demonstrations.

A part of the population rose up after the death of Mahsa Amini.

Ahmad Zeidabadi, political analyst: “Who obtains the majority in parliament would indicate that the ruling system has mobilized its electoral base in favor of this faction and wishes to move in this direction. Nevertheless, there is a competition between the hardliners, mainly the Front of Perseverance, and candidates with more pragmatic experience.”

Barring any surprises, the elections should confirm the decline in the influence of the reformist camp.

Since the election of Ebrahim Raïssi in the 2021 presidential election, conservatives have held all power in Iran.