Iranian parliamentary elections begin, Western-minded groups headwind February 13 at 6:28

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In Iran, where the conflict with the United States is deepening, the election campaign for the parliamentary election, which will be held on the 21st of this month, will begin on the 13th. With the U.S. sanctions stiffening the economy, U.S. sanctions are likely to be a headwind for election-backing powers who have emphasized dialogue with the West, and how election outcomes could affect relations with the United States. Attention will be paid.

Iran's parliamentary elections, which will be held on the 21st, will compete for a fixed number of 290 seats, and the election will start on the 13th.

In Iran, anti-government protests have been occurring frequently as the economy has become more severe as the US Trump administration has unilaterally withdrawn from the nuclear agreement and reopened sanctions. This is likely to be a headwind for "reformers" and "moderates" who have supported the Rouhani administration with a nuclear agreement.

On the other hand, conservative hardliners who are negative to talks with Europe and the United States want to build on their anti-American mood, which was heightened by a US military killing a commander in Iran last month. In order to run for the election, a preliminary examination by a conservative institution is required, and this time the number of candidates was reduced to about 7,100, and many reformers were disqualified. And

The election has been spotlighted if the powers supporting the Rouhani administration are defeated and conservative hard-liners may gain more seats in relations with the United States if the conservative hard-liners extend their seats.

Election highlights

The parliamentary elections will take place as the Trump administration in the United States intensifies pressure, including last month's killing of Revolutionary Guard commander Commander Soleimani, and conservative hardliners are rebelling.

In contrast, it is a headwind for moderates and reformers who have supported President Rouhani for a dialogue with Europe and the United States, just because it could affect the future relationship between Iran and the United States. The results are shown or noted.

In Iran, President Rouhani, who has set up a dialogue route with Western countries, signed a nuclear agreement with the United States and European countries in 2015, and in the previous parliamentary elections four years ago, he expected that the economy would improve due to lifting sanctions. Moderate and reformist forces in support of the President have emerged as a majority in Congress.

However, as the US Trump administration unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions in 2018, the withdrawal of foreign companies has occurred and the currency has fallen, and the economy has become increasingly severe. The economic recovery expected from improving relations with Europe and the United States is far away, and anti-government demonstrations spread in various places last November, triggered by a sudden rise in gasoline prices.

On the other hand, conservative hardliners who have been critical of dialogue with the United States and Europe have criticized President Lohani for not having achieved any results in concluding a nuclear agreement, and further promoted nuclear development in response to U.S. pressure. He says that he will not give up on a strong response. Increasing numbers of conservative hardliners in this election could affect Iran's policy toward the United States, and tensions in the Middle East could be even greater.

"If the conservative hardliners become the largest power in Congress, they will clarify their confrontation with the United States, such as withdrawing from the NPT, a nuclear non-proliferation treaty." There may be a move to do so, which could further increase tensions in the Middle East. "

Current parliamentary power

There are three main groups in the Iranian parliament.

"Reformists" and "moderates" are groups that relax social rules based on Islamic values ​​and emphasize dialogue with the West. He has supported President Lohani so far and made a breakthrough in the parliamentary elections four years ago. In the current parliament, the majority of the 290 seats are moderate and reformist.

Conservative hardliners, on the other hand, respect the spirit of the Islamic Revolution and value religion-based governance, and are critical of dialogue with the United States and other Western countries. It is said to have gained support from military officials and others, but in the last election he was defeated and reduced the number of seats.

Congress and election mechanism

Iran has a four-year unicameral parliament with a fixed number of 290 seats, which acts as a legislative body through law.

Five of the 290 seats are allocated to minorities, such as Zoroastrians and Jews, and the remaining 285 are elected in each district. Voting rights are granted to men and women over the age of 18, and candidates of Iranian nationality between the ages of 30 and 75 can run.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic system of "political religion" with the top leader, Khamenei, puts various restrictions on the functions of parliament and elections for members. Those who wish to run for the candidate need to obtain approval at the qualification screening of the `` Government Council '' composed of Islamic jurists, etc.In some past elections, reformist candidates were not allowed to run for the candidate .

Also, legislation passed by Congress requires approval by the Constitutional Council, so that the highest leadership can exert its influence on Congress. The turnout for the parliamentary election was announced at 62% in the previous election.

Opportunities to show public opinion are limited in Iran, where public opinion polls are not conducted, and parliamentary elections are as important as the presidential elections, and are an important opportunity to learn the will of voters.

Citizens also have cold opinions

Regarding the Iranian parliamentary elections, many citizens expressed hopes for an improvement in the economy that would be worsened by US sanctions.

Among them, a 43-year-old man said, "The economy of the country is tough due to US sanctions. I want to select people who can solve economic problems in elections."

A 41-year-old woman said, "It is the duty of the people to participate in the elections. I hope that the situation will be better and that of the whole people."

A 25-year-old man, on the other hand, said, "We are very suffering and there is no point in going to the elections without any help. Saying" Death to the United States "every day does not produce anything, That's it. "

A 37-year-old woman said, "I don't go to the election because it doesn't make sense. I just feel sorry if I participated."

Last year, the turnout of the parliamentary election four years ago was 62%, and this time, what will be the turnout is one of the focus.