Iran had a presidential election yesterday, with about five candidates running that had been approved by the clerics who have ultimate power. The leading reform candidate, who would have given real hope to those opposed to the iron rule of the clerics, had been denied a place on the ballot by the powers that be.
At first there was talk of boycotting the election; but then the opposition got behind Hassan Rowhani as the least of the bad, as in the least hard-line of a conservative field of approved candidates.
It came as a bit of surprise then that Rowhani won with more than 50% of the vote, making a runoff unnecessary.
Since the president does not have much power to change policies, what is probably more important is not that this particular man was elected but the size of the voter turnout and the decisive expression of support for more liberal policies.
It was in effect a strong vote for reform in a system that is geared to stifle real reform.
Whether this will affect policies at all, or how much, really rests with the ruling clerics and how much they're willing to let the people influence the government.
Ralph
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