USA TODAY International Edition
Reformist surprises with Iran election win
But Hasan Rowhani may not wield real power, analysts say
The moderate- conservative candidate and victor in Iran’s presidential election, Hasan Rowhani, is known for his negotiating skill over the country’s nuclear weapons program and a reformist some hardliners in Iran previously saw as too liberal and conciliatory, Iran analysts say.
As a result, the analysts predict Rowhani, who was declared the winner Saturday by Iran’s interior minister, might take the top political post and bring hope to the country’s liberal classes but not wield any real power, especially on the nuclear issue.
“A president Rowhani would probably try to persuade the supreme leader that a deal on the nuclear is- sue would be in the interest of the Islamic Republic, especially if Rowhani believes that it is the only way to avoid a war,” said Bruno Tertrais, a senior researcher at Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris. “But ( Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei will remain the ultimate decision- maker.”
Even so, the win for the reformist-backed presidential candidate is surprising in a race that most believed would go to candidates backed by Tehran’s ruling clerics, who promised economic recovery in a country impacted by Western- imposed economic sanctions. The Interior Ministry said Rowhani took 50.7% of the more than 36 million votes cast, well ahead of Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf with about 16.5%. Hard- line nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili came in third with 11.3%, followed by conservative Mohsen Rezaei with 10.6%.
On Sunday, Iran’s president- elect said the country’s dire economic problems cannot be solved “overnight,” as he took his first steps in consulting with members of the cler- ically dominated establishment.
Iran suffers from more than 30% inflation as well as 14% unemployment linked to Western sanctions for Iran’s suspect nuclear program.
Rowhani will take office in August and needs parliament to approve his proposed nominees for 18 ministries.
A cleric, Rowhani first studied religion before graduating with a law degree in 1972, eventually earning a master’s degree in law at Caledonian University in Glasgow, Scotland. He was swept up in the 1979 Iran’s Islamic Revolution as a firm opponent to the shah and became an ally and part of the inner circle of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, serving in various roles in the government following Khomeini’s ascension to power.
Rowhani served as head of the Supreme National Security Council during the presidency of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from 1989 to 1997. Following that, he was the country’s top nuclear negotiator with the West from 2003 to 2005 during the administration of reformist leader Mo- hammad Khatami as the U. S. and other European allies grew concerned over Iran’s nuclear program. He negotiated a temporary suspension in Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
When hard- liner President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — who was barred from seeking a third term — took office in 2005, Rowhani resigned after arguing with the new leader. He then remained in the background of reformist causes until this year, when the Guardian Council approved his candidacy and he earned the backing of Khatami and Rafsanjani, who represent the liberal strain of Iranian politics.
Some Iranians remain hopeful that Rowhani’s win could sway Iran to become more open and liberal.
“It’s a victory for those who are moderate and a ray of hope for those who are reformist,” said Ali Sanaei, 37, an Iranian author and expatriate based in Istanbul.
Alireza Nourizadeh, a Iranian scholar, literary figure and senior researcher and director at the Center for Arab and Iranian Studies in London, said he doesn’t buy into Rohawni’s spiel. Rowhani “always pretended to be a moderate, played the game really well and convinced voters he is a reformist,” Nouriadeh said. “But I know this man — he’s the same man that served in the Supreme National Military Council for 24 years and called for the execution of student protesters” during the 1999 protests.