Iran

Election campaign in Farsi

Shortly before the elections to the Parliament with expert advice, many Iranians are unsure whether they are voting for. Conservative and reformers to advertise – because there is a lot on the game, says Theresa Tropper from Tehran.

Women in Chadors, Shi’ite clergy and young men in suit: With serious faces gazing from Lampposts and walls on the traffic chaos on the Vanak square in Central Tehran down. Like all places of the capital city, he is so shortly before the vote with campaign posters plastered. Conservative and reformists fight for the favor of the voters – and that’s why the Iranians at all to the polls to lure. “The country is on your voice instructed,” calls President Rohani in a message on which all Iranian mobile phone users. “On Friday we will create together a more hopeful future for our country.”

An election poster for the expert advice

Because there is a lot at stake: In the current Parliament is Conservative and hardline elements of the majority. And while the foreign policy Entspannungskurs of the President supported, there are many domestic promise Rohanis but skeptical or even hostile. After successful Atomabkommen and the removal of the sanctions, they are rather eager to the relaxation in the foreign policy of Iran not to much into the Interior. Relaxing the dress code for women or the censorship of social media would therefore, in the present Parliament for example, is doomed to Fail.

More support for the President?

With the election on Friday could change that. “I am convinced that a Parliament is elected, which is more in line with the President”, says about Hossein Kanani Moghadam of the Green party in an Interview with DW. Previously, Rohani anyway with foreign policy have been busy. “Now, where he was successful, he can also use other things to tackle – and this could be it, and a new Parliament.”

Canvassing also makes cars in Iran will not Stop

No wonder, then, that Rohani in the run-up to the election in ensuring that as many of the reform-oriented candidates may begin and even with the powerful guardian Council has created. The is according to the Iranian Constitution, the Suitability of candidates and had of the approximately 12,000 candidates first, more than half sorted out, including many from the camp of the Opposition. They agreed little with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic match, so the reason. Rohani told the conservative Board then publicly, for its decision at least in part to revise. The citizens should not get the impression that the outcome of the elections is already pre-determined.

To choose or not to choose, that is the question

An impression, in these days, nevertheless, many supporters of the Opposition prevails, even if the exclusion of a total of 1500 candidates in fact has been revoked. “We can’t do for the candidates and the ideas to vote on, we get really good at”, says about Ali and strokes it thoughtfully over his mustache. “Free elections are not” in“ With his friends discussed the 63-Year-old with a Cup of tea in the Park, if you still choice to go. “I’m of the opinion that we should have our vote,” argues his friend Hamid. An imperfect choice is better than none at all.

A Boycott of the election does nothing, says Reformist Alireza Mahjoub

This is also the representative of the reformists, even so. “A truly fair vote, it would be just, if in fact any play likely to would like”, says about a candidate Alireza Mahjoub. Alone the fact that there is this choice, but an official list with a total of 30 Reform candidates, but was already a great progress. “The last Time we were only two.” A Boycott of the election, he holds to be of little help: “The benefits only the Conservatives,” he explains. Because the have a large base, which definitely will vote. “For us, reformists: The more of the other people participating in the election, all the better.”

The choice for expert advice: even more important than the Parliament

This is even more true, as this time not only the Parliament newly elected, but also the so-called expert advice. “And this election is even more important than the Parliament,” says Seyed Reza Mousavinia from the faculty of politics and law. Because the body, which is made of high Shiite clergy, it is the responsibility of the Supreme leader to monitor – and a new to choose in the event that the current incumbent, Ayatollah Khamenei, is dying. The is meanwhile 76 years old and has itself acknowledged that he is the eight-year term of office of the Council may not survive. With the election of his successor, the members of the Council of experts, so the course for the political future of their country, possibly for decades to come.

There is a hint of hope to be felt on the streets of the capital – hope for change in the everyday life of the people is noticeable. “The election of Rohani has much changed for the better here in Iran”, Ali and Hamid agreed. “These elections will also change a lot.” How large this change but actually fails – to decide the Iranians on Friday at the ballot box.