• In Iran 58 million to vote for the renewal of Parliament
  • Iran, Khamenei: US affected in pride, attack wanted by Allah

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February 21, 2020 Urns open in Iran, where about 58 million citizens are called to elect the new Majlis, the Parliament of the Islamic Republic. In the capital Tehran, where one fifth of the 83 million Iranians reside, behind the incessant traffic and the confusion of its streets there is a growing disaffection towards politics, unable in the eyes of the people to face the real problems of the country.

290 MEPs and seven members of the Assembly of Experts are to be elected. Among the first exponents of the Islamic Republic to vote for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Guide, who made some statements to journalists present at the seat number 110 in Tehran. Ayatollah made a new appeal to vote, stressing that "those who care about the national interest must participate in the elections" and reiterating that "voting is a religious duty". The opening hours of the seats are from 8 to 18 (from 5.30 to 15.30 Italian time), but in all previous elections the authorities have extended it to allow for a greater turnout. Results in smaller provinces are expected to be available on Saturday, while large cities may require at least 72 hours.

The Islamic Republic is going through one of the most difficult phases since the 1979 revolution. The economy is in free fall, tensions with the United States are at historic highs, the nuclear deal (Jcpoa), on which the Rohani presidency had aimed all his chips, he experiences a slow and inexorable agony. The economic isolation due to renewed American sanctions, inflation, the devaluation of the currency, unemployment, the lack of medicines, are just some of the problems that the Iranians have to deal with on a daily basis, among which many see no difference between the two great sides - reformer and conservator of Iranian politics.

According to the Iranian media, 7,148 candidates have been admitted, while 7,296 have been disqualified and it is estimated that for 160 of the 290 seats available there will be only conservative candidates in the running. There is concern about turnout. At the last parliamentary elections in 2016, turnout was 62%, more or less in line with that of previous consultations for the renewal of the Majlis. Influence, however, may be affected by the coronavirus factor. In Iran, in fact, from Wednesday there are the first infections, in particular in Qom, with a toll already of two deaths.