Ahmadinejad’s Followers Will Vote for Rouhani, Says Principlist Analyst
The 12th presidential election in the history of the Islamic Republic will be held on May 19, 2017, yet the Principlists have not determined their electoral strategy writes Khabar Online news website. While some believe in grooming a fresh figure to run against Rouhani, others suggest introducing a seasoned nominee, considering the little time left until the election day.
Hassan Bayadi, former member of Tehran City Council and a member of Resistance Front of Islamic Iran, a political group close to Mohsen Rezaei, has discussed the landscape of the Principlist camp in his interview with Khabar Online. Select quotes from his interview come in the following:
“Neither the new guard nor the old guard in the Principlist camp can run against Rouhani at present due to their existing weaknesses for which they have not been accountable. The only person who is able to run … is [Tehran mayor Mohammad-Bagher] Ghalibaf.
“While everyone thinks this government [Rouhani administration] will most probably continue for a second term, it has shown weakness in many areas such as tackling unemployment and stimulating production. Economically, they have had little to say, despite success in social and political fields.”
“Reformists will unanimously support Rouhani … many who supported Ahmadinejad are also ready to vote for Rouhani to stop Ghalibaf from becoming president ... this happened also in 2013 [presidential election]. A part of Rouhani's vote belong to Ahmadinejad supporters.”
“[In Iran] parties’ influence is close to zero. Organizations active under the lable of 'party' are in fact cliques … inside which many are connected to nexus of power and wealth. Empires are created in this way, when a monopolist group assumes all positions in power and does not take popular opinion into consideration. In such a climate, no parties can be formed.”