The initial results of local bodies and council of experts elections suggests a decrease in the support of hard-line conservative president Ahmadinejad. His supporters and allies are losing key battles in main cities. Moderate conservatives and reformist candidates have won some seats, previously occupied by allies of Ahmadinejad. It will be wrong to say that Ahmadinejad has lost out rightly in the elections, but elections clearly indicating a certain loss in the popular support of ultra conservative president. Ahmadinejad, who was elected president one year ago on a wave of popular support, failed to score hoped-for victories in elections for local councils or the powerful clerical body, The Assembly of Experts.
In all important Tehran council elections his supporters have been able to won 4 out of 15 seats including the sister of the president. Rest of the seats went to moderate conservatives led by Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqar Qalibaf, a break away faction from president Ahmadinejad. The moderate conservatives and reformists have done well in the main cities, and Ahmadinejad allies have done well in the rural areas and small towns. Ahmadinejad supporters have got more than 65% vote in the rural areas, but his supporters got only 40% votes in the cities. In many councils, the majority of hard line ultra conservatives have either been reduced or taken over by moderate conservatives and reformists.
Failed to Deliver
President Ahmadinejad was elected on the popular support with the promises of social justice; bring an end to corruption and a return to Islamic revolution principles. He also used radical rhetoric and anti Western slogans to muster support from all the sections of society. But many who voted for him are asking him to deliver, which he has not been able to deliver so far. Conservative analyst Amir Mohebian said “the voters have shown a red warning light to President Ahmadinejad. His anti Western rhetoric is not enough to continue to enjoy the support. He made lot of promises but deliver nothing. The unemployment and inflation has broken all the previous records. Life has not been made easy under Ahmadinejad”.