Well, Rowhani at least spoiled the preliminary plans of the mullahs. This election wasn't supposed to happen like that. OK, they had made sure to not allow any surprises by picking up mostly regime-friendly conservative candidates so that the 2009 protests wouldn't be repeated; they limited Internet access and increased the pressure on various opposition leaders and journalists.
But it turned out the Iranian people had other plans, and Rowhani, of all candidates, won the election. And from the first try. And with a 72% turnout. If that's not a sign (if more subtle than those protests from 4 years ago) that the majority of Iranians are rejecting the hardline policies, and a blow on Khamenei's authority, I don't know what is (short of an actual "counter?"-revolution).
The post is good indeed.
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Date: 24/6/13 19:56 (UTC)But it turned out the Iranian people had other plans, and Rowhani, of all candidates, won the election. And from the first try. And with a 72% turnout. If that's not a sign (if more subtle than those protests from 4 years ago) that the majority of Iranians are rejecting the hardline policies, and a blow on Khamenei's authority, I don't know what is (short of an actual "counter?"-revolution).
The post is good indeed.