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Iran's Reformists keep their eyes on the prize

Despite pressures from the Guardian Council and fierce competition with Principlists, Iranian Reformists appear ever focused on their goals in the country’s parliamentary elections.
Iranians look at a list of candidates' names during elections for the parliament and Assembly of Experts, which has the power to appoint and dismiss the supreme leader, at a polling station in Tehran February 26, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA  ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. - RTX28NK7

TEHRAN, Iran — Compared to past elections, the Feb. 26 parliamentary elections are different in many key aspects. For one, the Reformists, who after an eight-year hiatus regained power in 2013 with the election of moderate President Hassan Rouhani, have been doing all they can to not only maintain their position but also win as many seats in parliament as possible. Their stepped-up efforts could clearly be seen in the final days of campaigning. But will they have the means to overcome the obstacles in their way?

The Reformists put forward a list of 30 names that they endorsed for the parliamentary elections. This ticket, called “The List of Hope,” is accompanied by the campaign slogan “Tranquility and Economic Growth.” However, the presence of a number of lesser known — or even unknown — people on the ticket has been causing somewhat of a controversy. Another controversial feature of the list was the presence of three moderate Principlist lawmakers: Ali Motahari, Behrouz Nemati and Kazem Jalali.

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