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Purge of reformists in Iran election could doom nuclear deal, say diplomats
Source: The Guardian
Purge of reformists in Iran election could doom nuclear deal, say diplomats
Hardliners poised to sweep to power after 90% of reformist candidates barred from ballot
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
Sun 9 Feb 2020 14.37 GMT
Last modified on Sun 9 Feb 2020 20.45 GMT
Iran’s clerical establishment is so determined to fix this month’s parliamentary elections that hardliners are likely to sweep to power, bringing closer the final collapse of the Iran nuclear deal, according to western diplomats.
Reformist candidates have been systematically purged from the elections due on 21 February after vetting by the Guardian Council, a 12-strong body of lawyers and religious leader appointed indirectly by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
More than 90 of the 290-strong parliament have been barred from running for re-election, often receiving short letters giving broad justification ranging from financial irregularities to not being faithful to Islam.
Among the 16,000 people who applied to stand in the elections, about 9,000 have been disqualified. The process, enshrined in law, is justified on the grounds that Iran does not have permanent political parties to filter candidates.
-snip-
Hardliners poised to sweep to power after 90% of reformist candidates barred from ballot
Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor
Sun 9 Feb 2020 14.37 GMT
Last modified on Sun 9 Feb 2020 20.45 GMT
Iran’s clerical establishment is so determined to fix this month’s parliamentary elections that hardliners are likely to sweep to power, bringing closer the final collapse of the Iran nuclear deal, according to western diplomats.
Reformist candidates have been systematically purged from the elections due on 21 February after vetting by the Guardian Council, a 12-strong body of lawyers and religious leader appointed indirectly by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
More than 90 of the 290-strong parliament have been barred from running for re-election, often receiving short letters giving broad justification ranging from financial irregularities to not being faithful to Islam.
Among the 16,000 people who applied to stand in the elections, about 9,000 have been disqualified. The process, enshrined in law, is justified on the grounds that Iran does not have permanent political parties to filter candidates.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/09/purge-of-reformists-in-iran-election-could-doom-nuclear-deal-say-diplomats