Iran elections: conservatives heading for large majority

Likely outcome reflects frustration at collapsing living standards and relations with the west

Iran’s conservatives are heading for a large overall majority in the country’s parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results, an outcome that reflects frustration with collapsing living standards and the apparent dead end of engagement with the west.

It means strong supporters of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will control all the main levers of power in Iran except for the presidency. The reformists, elected four years ago on a ticket of engagement with the west, had been the largest party in parliament but found many of their proposals blocked by other centres of power in Iran, notably the Guardian Council.

Continue reading…