Iranian imbroglio
MAHMOUD Ahmadinejad has been re-elected as president of Iran in a resounding victory, according to the official result. Interior Minister Sadeq Mahsouli announced that Mr Ahmadinejad won some 63 per cent of the vote in an election marked by a turnout of more than 80 per cent.
Ahmadinejad was challenged by three contenders: war-era prime minister Mir Hossein Mousavi (1981-1989), two-time parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi (1989-1992 and 2000-2004) and Expediency Council secretary, Mohsen Rezaei.
Iran boasts that it is the most democratic country in the Middle East and this is partly demonstrated by the fact that during the campaign, all four candidates were given equal air-time for a series of broadcasts, campaign videos, and one-on-one debates on state-controlled television.
As it became clear that the reformist Mousavi's bid to halt Ahmadinejad's drive for a second term at the helm of the Islamic Republic was faltering, the president's supporters began pouring onto the streets of Tehran, honking their horns and waving Iranian flags.
Young men and women in big cities had thrown their weight behind Mousavi, while Ahmadinejad, who has pledged to help the poor and stamp out corruption, drew passionate support from rural towns and villages. It is repeat of what we had witnessed in Thailand -- the divide between urban and rural populations.
The leading rival, reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, is contesting the outcome, complaining of a number of voting irregularities. He had earlier said there was a shortage of ballot papers and millions of people had been denied the right to vote. His election monitors were not allowed enough access to polling stations, he added, saying he would deal seriously with any fraud. Free and fair elections, of course, include many elements. And there is a strong suspicion among critics that the government machine was behind Ahmadinejad.
Iran's economic woes and its relationship with the outside world emerged as key issues during a feisty campaign marked by street rallies and acrimonious candidate debates on prime-time television.
During their campaign, Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rezaei announced that they would adopt a different strategy in dealings with the West, promising to hold diplomatic dialogue with the United States. Ahmadinejad, however, reiterated that he would not change his foreign policy should he be elected for anther term.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez telephoned Ahmadinejad to congratulate him, telling him the victory "represents the feeling and commitment of the Iranian people to building a new world." The Arab League urged Ahmadinejad to use his re-election to resolve the nuclear issue and establish peace and security in the Middle East.
World powers including Britain and the United States have reacted cautiously to the outcome of the presidential election. The European Union, which has led efforts to engage Iran on its contested nuclear program, said in a statement it "hopes that outcome of the presidential elections will bring the opportunity to resume the dialogue on nuclear issue and clear up Iranian position in this regard."
In power structure, the apex is the supreme leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who appoints the head of the judiciary, six of the members of the powerful Guardian Council, the commanders of all the armed forces. He also confirms the president's election. The Leader is chosen by the clerics who make up the Assembly of Experts.
Then there is the parliament, the Majlis, with its powerful speaker Ali Larijani. And former president Hashemi Rafsanjani continues to be influential, partly through his chairmanship of two important institutions, the Expediency Council and the Assembly of Experts.
And while it is always said that the supreme leader has the final say on the nuclear program, it is surely no coincidence that it has been dramatically speeded up under the presidency of Ahmadinejad.
Iran's nuclear program has now gained such momentum that it is hard to see any new Iranian president stopping or suspending it. Neither will Iran's next president have the authority to change dramatically the Iranian system of government, or its relations with the outside.
It is only within these limitations that the country's leaders may change the direction of the country in response to President Obama's policy of dialogue, reconciliation and realism.
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