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Iran elections: A Khatami's comeback?

by rahul | November 7, 2008 at 08:57 am

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As the Iranian conservative side is split over incumbent President Ahmadinejad, reformists try to persuade their former leader Mohammad Khatami into entering the political race again. Khatami had declined any electoral role in the coming presidential elections but did not discard a return by public acclamation. Were Khatami to stand for elections in June 2009, he would need to confront Tehran mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned over erly election campaigns though.

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:17:08 GMT Supporters of Iranian ex-president Khatami urge his return to political scene in spite of his earlier announcement of disinterest. Supporters held a gathering on Thursday in a bid to persuade Mohammad Khatami to run in the next presidential race. The Thursday meeting brought together a group of Reformist figures as well as young people who strongly called for his comeback, Mehr news agency reported. Mohammad-Ali Abtahi, an aide to Khatami during his presidency, said to the group that the Iranian nation expects Khatami to step into the political arena again. Reformists had called on Khatami 'to return to the political scene despite problems', said Majid Ansari, Vice-President for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs during Khatami's first term, without giving any further details abut the problems. The meeting came after Khatami earlier announced he was personally disinterested in the elections in June 2009.
"I have to give serious consideration before I decide whether to run in the election. Personally, I have no desire or any enthusiasm to return to power," Fars news agency quoted the former president as saying. However, Khatami added that he would decide to do whatever serves the best interests of the country. Khatami was president of Iran from 1997 to 2005 on the Reformist platform; many speculate that he may run again. AR/JG/DT. Original source at PressTV

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Rachel Nixon

at 09:55 on November 7th, 2008

rahul - very interesting. Do you think Ahmadinejad will be running for reelection?

rahul

at 18:48 on November 7th, 2008

It is very hard to predict the future on an election that will take place by June 2009. There is a lot to be seen until then. However, actual conditions seem to indicate that Ahmadinejad would be the candidate of the ultra conservative side. He would be backed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps again. Winning the Presidential election would be another matter though. High inflation, unbearable unemployment, volatile oil prices, current world recession and difficult political alliances seem to block the path of Ahmadinejad´s second term in office.