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Iranian Political Economic News
Qalibaf reelected Majles Speaker as Khamenei Vies to Retain Political Control in Iran
Supreme Leader Must Retain Control of Speakership and Presidency to Protect his Political Agenda and Legacy
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was reelected Speaker of the 12th Majles of the Islamic Republic of Iran last Tuesday after a contentious election.He ran against several members of the more conservative Paydari Party. The competition was rather fierce, and included a smear campaign that lasted several months and had called on him to resign from the Majles altogether.Ultimately, Qalibaf defeated the leading Paydari candidate, Mojtaba Zolnour, in a landslide victory, 198 to 60, out of 290 votes.
Khamenei’s Interests
The decisiveness of Qalibaf’s victory, which came as a surprise, was likely by design of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who relies heavily upon the Speaker to usher his agenda through the legislature.Due to the recent likely assassination of President Ebrahim Raisi, who was also the heir apparent to the Supreme Leadership, uncertainty surrounds the succession of the two highest political roles in…
