Economic pain casts dark shadow as Iranians go to vote
— As Iranians head to the polls for legislative and other elections on Friday, candidates have promised them on campaign posters to “fight corruption” and “fix the economy.”
In the minds of many voters, economic hardship is indeed the most burning issue as the Islamic republic suffers under punishing international sanctions and rapid inflation.
At Tehran’s storied Grand Bazaar, many shoppers are simply wandering the warren of aisles without buying anything, as prices have skyrocketed in recent years.
Many doubt that a quick solution is in sight — among them 62-yearold retiree Aliasghari, who said he wished the politicians would “stop the empty slogans.”
“The economic situation is extremely troubling,” said the pensioner walking through the labyrinthine market, who asked not to be fully named as he discussed the sensitive issue.
Citizens “are hearing a lot of fabrications and they have lost their trust in voting,” he said, adding that “none of my family members are willing to take part in the elections.”
Voters are due to pick new members of Iran’s 290-seat legislature and the Assembly of Experts, a key body that appoints the supreme leader, a post held by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 84.
The vote comes amid high regional tensions as Iran’s arch foe Israel fights the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and related conflicts have flared across the Middle East.
But for many in Iran, a country of over 85 million people, the biggest issue is much closer to home: annual inflation near 50 percent, high consumer prices and a falling currency.
Just because Iranians elect a new parliament, “things won’t become cheaper,” said fashion vendor Fatima, 21, who complained that many people can no longer afford new clothes.
“People’s economic situation is terrible,” she said, adding that she would cast her vote anyway, despite having only slim hopes for meaningful change.
Iran has reeled under crippling U.S. sanctions since Washington’s unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from a landmark deal that had promised sanctions relief in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.