Hardliners Take Narrow Lead in Iranian Elections Tehran, Iran – Conservative candidates have secured a slim majority in Iran’s parliamentary elections, marking a shift towards a more hardline stance in the country’s political landscape. Initial results indicate that the Principalist Coalition, composed of conservative and ultra-conservative factions, has won approximately 200 of the 290 seats in the parliament. The Reformist Coalition, which represents moderates and reformists, has secured around 80 seats. The results are a blow to the moderate President Hassan Rouhani, who had campaigned for a more balanced parliament that would support his agenda of economic liberalization and engagement with the West. Rouhani’s critics, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had accused him of being too lenient and had called for a more conservative parliament. Hardline candidates campaigned on a platform of increased social conservatism, opposition to Western influence, and a tougher stance on international issues. They pledged to prioritize the strengthening of the Revolutionary Guards and the country’s nuclear program. The election results cast uncertainty over the future of Iran’s relations with the United States and other Western powers. Hardline lawmakers are likely to oppose the implementation of the nuclear deal negotiated by the Rouhani government and may seek to scale back diplomatic ties with the West. The rise of hardliners in parliament could also have implications for domestic policy. Conservatives could push for stricter social restrictions, limitations on freedom of speech, and crackdowns on political dissent. International observers have expressed concern over the implications of the election results for regional stability. Hardline lawmakers could increase support for militant groups in the Middle East and adopt a more bellicose stance towards neighboring countries. The full implications of the election results remain unclear. However, the narrow majority secured by hardliners suggests that the balance of power in Iran has shifted in their favor, potentially heralding a more conservative era in Iranian politics.Election NewsElection News Item Information * Author: Kasra Naji * Role: BBC Persian * Date: 1 hour before (June 29, 2024) Election Results According to early results, hardline candidate Saeed Jalili is leading with 42% of the vote in Iran’s presidential election. However, current predictions suggest that the election will go to a second round. Key Points * Jalili is a former nuclear negotiator. * Reformist candidate Massoud Pezeshkian is now trailing with 40% of the vote. * The second round of the election will take place next Friday if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes. * Two members of the security forces were killed in an attack on a vehicle transporting ballot boxes. * Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for high voter turnout. * The election comes amidst low turnout rates and protests against the strict dress codes enforced by the morality police.Hardliners have taken a narrow lead in Iran’s parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the Interior Ministry. With 90% of the votes counted, the conservative United Front of Principlists, which backs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has won 127 seats in the 290-member parliament. The reformist Green Movement, which led the mass protests against the disputed 2009 presidential election, has won 26 seats. The moderate Front for Stability and Progress, led by President Hassan Rouhani, has won 97 seats. The hardliners’ victory is a setback for Rouhani, who has been trying to improve relations with the West and revive the Iranian economy. The hardliners are expected to oppose Rouhani’s economic reforms and his efforts to reach a nuclear deal with the United States. The election was held on Friday, with a turnout of about 60%. The final results of the election are expected to be announced on March 1.