Iran's conservative factions have launched a broadside against the county's reformists following their recent electoral success.
ADVERTISEMENTIran’s conservative factions have launched a broadside against the county’s reformists following their recent electoral humiliation.
A newly-elected female MP has been banned from taking her place in the next parliament for allegedly shaking the hand of an unrelated man while in China or for not covering herself under the hijab.
Minoo Khaleghi had been vetted by the unelected, but extremely powerful Guardian Council and disqualification by them, particularly after victory, is extremely rare.
Iran:Ahlesunat Alim Shiekh Nazir Salam guardian council k Rukn hain, kia saudia mai koi shia hakomat ka hisa hai pic.twitter.com/Ll9bcW2rLu
— Shia News Official (
snpak110) <a href="https://twitter.com/snpak110/status/707191019901730816">March 8, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <b></b>Shaking the hand of an unrelated man is is illegal under Iran's Islamic law and the hijab is compulsory. <b></b> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"tw-align-center data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DQ of female Iran MP-elect Khaleghi will remain an issue. <br>Women's Majlis faction: Ms. Minoo, come give us ur hand! <a href="https://t.co/85IijqAtk5">pic.twitter.com/85IijqAtk5</a></p>— Hanif Zarrabi-K. (hanifzk) May 2, 2016
However, the law student, one of 18 women to be elected, has denied she contravened any law and any published photographs are simply fake. > Alleged photos that got Iran MP-elect Minoo Khaleghi DQ'd by Guardian Council. Khaleghi denies its her in the pics. pic.twitter.com/zt60yS8OFa
— Hanif Zarrabi-K. (
hanifzk) <a href="https://twitter.com/hanifzk/status/728131300578582528">May 5, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <b></b>In a statement she said: “So far I have not received any reports about campaign violations or anything else that might disqualify me. Also, I have not had any meetings with the honorable members of the Council of Guardians since the election campaign began,” she added: “There has been every kind of rumour and immoral talk surrounding me. These actions are all aimed at questioning my reputation as a Muslim and as such are punishable according to Sharia law. Therefore the police and judicial officials must take swift action to deal with the individuals defaming me." <b></b>One of her supporters, MP Ali Motahari, demanded the impeachment of the interior minister and said it was for parliament to endorse a candidate once elected, not the Guardian Council. <b></b>What effect this has on those that voted for the Hope List allied to Iranian "President Hassan Rouhani":http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/22/election-time-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran/ is further down the line. <b></b> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"tw-align-center data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Iran's Rouhani tightens grip on power after second round of elections <a href="https://t.co/LOIUGmmGRy">https://t.co/LOIUGmmGRy</a> <a href="https://t.co/krHdp9sm0B">pic.twitter.com/krHdp9sm0B</a></p>— Middle East Eye (MiddleEastEye) May 5, 2016
The reformists secured an extra 38 seats and effectively broke the electoral dominance of the conservatives.
In effect it means that Rouhani can now attempt to introduce a raft of domestic “liberal” policies in line with his foreign policy maneuverings, which have had such a geopolitical impact.
All in all it looks good for Rouhani, however his reliance on reformists could go against the grain. > #Rouhani allies win #Iran parliament elections second round: media
Read more: https://t.co/5WuTff0Wfopic.twitter.com/pHXpJvw6BY
— ARY News (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) April 30, 2016
He is essentially an authoritarian and the potential for trouble with leftists in the Islamic Republic could play into the hands of the majorly-miffed Conservatives who would love nothing more than to see the reformist coalition crumble.