Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been authorized to run for the Assembly of Experts,a body charged with choosing the next leader. Bridging reformists and conservatives, the former president has emerged as a central figure in the unique ‘moderate’ campAs Iran prepares for elections on 26 February for parliament and the Assembly of Experts, or the body that chooses Iran’s supreme leader,the name of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani crops up frequently in media and political discussions. Iran’s former president, whose political presence faded during the presidencies of Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and is once again on the rise.
At 81,Rafsanjani is embroiled again in a unique political battle. Over the past few years he has gained popularity among ‘moderates, a term that has become accepted since Hassan Rouhani was elected president in 2013 and which includes some figures previously seen as reformists and others as ‘principle-ists’. He is already one of the Assembly’s 78 members. This week he was cleared to run again. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com