Alborz MahmudiWith the first official meeting of the Majlis (Iranian parliament) elected conservatists, PM Ali Larijani succeeded to win the race to lead the next Majlis over his rival, the incumbent Haddad-Adel, almost ensuring his official confirmation when the Majlis officially holds its first session. The next Majlis, the eight since the 1979 Islamic revolution formally begins its work this Tuesday. With Larijani in the saddle, the second non-cleric will take over the Majlis leadership since its birth.
The last session of the seventh Majlis was held last week, after which some of the new legislatures to the eight Majlis came to the building to hold the first general meeting of the conservative MPs. The key item on the agenda was to reach agreement on the leadership of the next Majlis. Prior to the meeting, the conservatists had agreed to unofficially vote to determine the new Speaker so as to avoid taking the issue to the Majlis floor. Current incumbent Speaker Haddad-Adel and Ali Larijani were pinned against each other and each had agreed to concede through the elections.
According to state-run Fars news agency, 227 conservatists who have formed a group called the Principalists (Osoolgaran) gathered and for 30 minutes heard the two candidates to the Speakership of the legislature, Larijani and Adel. Then came the votes. Some of the MPs did not vote, while seven cast a blank ballot. Larijani got 161 votes while Adel secured a mere 50, confirming the prediction of Alef news website that Larijani was the choice of the majority of the conservatists.
Tabnak website, which is closely affiliated with former Passdaran commander Mohsen Rezai, and supported the alliance of Larijani, Qalibaf and Rezai, wrote this following Larijani’s victory; “In view of the 220 representatives that were present, one may conclude that the official election of the new Majlis Speaker has been finalized.” According to the site, “Ali Larijani, the representative of the Leader of the state in the National Security Council (NSC) of Iran, who had been removed as the secretary of the NSC seven months earlier, was the leading figure from the conservative critics of the administration. He received the first public support from Amir Ali Amiri, the secretary of the Osoolgaran Faragir (Extended Principalists) group on behalf of the group soon after the first round of Majlis elections last April. But Larijani’s support went beyond the conservative critics of the administration and included traditional conservatists and even supporters of the administration, all of which helped him secure his victory.”
Raja news website, which is recognized to be a pro-administration website, expressed its satisfaction with Larijani’s victory in the internal voting, and wrote, “Larijani is the candidate of the Principalists to be Majlis Speaker.” The website added that this internal vote should be conclusive for everyone and no personal views should be presented at the official voting in the Majlis for the post.” In its commentary over the voters for the two candidates, the site reminded its readers that in these internal trial elections, in addition to the conservatists critical of the administration, two other political factions, from amongst three that form the government coalition, supported Haddad-Adel.
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