{"id":318390,"date":"2024-04-17T18:30:27","date_gmt":"2024-04-17T17:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=318390"},"modified":"2024-04-17T19:44:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-17T18:44:41","slug":"power-struggles-amidst-second-round-of-irans-parliamentary-sham-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/news\/iran-election\/power-struggles-amidst-second-round-of-irans-parliamentary-sham-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Power Struggles Amidst Second Round of Iran’s Parliamentary Sham Elections"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"iran<\/p>\n

Three-minute read<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As Iran prepares for the formation of its new parliament, a power struggle rages among factions closely aligned with the regime\u2019s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over the coveted position of parliamentary speaker. Hamid Rasaee, a figure who has garnered increased influence in recent years, immediately called for a change in the parliament’s leadership following the first round of sham elections held in early March.<\/p>\n

This move stirred the ire of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other factions aligned with it, who have vested interests in Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf<\/a>, the current parliament speaker and former IRGC commander. Consequently, IRGC-affiliated media outlets launched a barrage of attacks against Rasaee.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, on May 10, the fate of 45 undecided parliamentary seats will be determined in the second round of elections. With less than a month left until the second round, the specter of widespread rejection of the clerical regime by the Iranian people continues to loom heavily over the parliament. Due to extensive boycotts, nearly all candidates who secured seats in the new parliament received less than 10%<\/a> of the vote, according to official but heavily manipulated statistics, leaving 45 parliamentary seats vacant.<\/p>\n

Behind the scenes, negotiations among various factions and blocs intensify as they vie for key positions such as the parliamentary speaker, committee chairmanships, the parliamentary research center, the Court of Audit, and other pivotal roles. In a legislature that has transcended Khamenei’s filters, the outcome of this power struggle, and who consolidates their power and influence over the legislative bodies, hinges on their proximity to and efficacy in securing the Supreme Leader’s endorsement.<\/p>\n

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Analyzing Ghalibaf\u2019s Standoff for #Iran<\/a>\u2019s Parliament Speakershiphttps:\/\/t.co\/oZTs408rGr<\/a><\/p>\n

— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) March 12, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n