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Will a Rafsanjani Be Tehran's Next Mayor?

Tehran's next mayor will be following large personalities who filled that position and will need to address many of Tehran's urban issues.
EDITORS' NOTE: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.

Former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani attends Iran's Assembly of Experts' biannual meeting in Tehran March 8, 2011. Rafsanjani lost his position on Tuesday as head of an important state clerical body after hardliners criticised him for being too close to the reformist opposition. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR2JLJT

Tehran, Iran’s capital of 12 million, a city which is called "enormous," has gone through 15 mayoral elections involving various political groups within the Islamic Republic power structure since the 1979 revolution.

Tehran's mayor is chosen by Tehran's City Council. While the Principlists have received a majority of the votes between 2002 and 2013 owing to the sweeping disqualification of Reformists or sulking citizens avoidance of the ballot box, the tide has turned and the Reformists have a decisive majority in the council and are considered the municipality's decisive voice.

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