“Cracks in the land of the ayatollahs”

According to what can be perceived, the electoral campaign shows the weakness of the democratic movement in Iran and the insignificance of the elections. All electoral candidates have been approved by the Revolution Guardian Council and democrats, disappointed by Khatami, have called for a boycott. However, there are encouraging signs for the future of Iran’s democracy. In fact, elections show governmental elites are no longer united.
Despite the selection of candidates, there are strong positions among them, a fact that shows the monolithic religious elite is cracking. Although Rafsanjani has been described by some in the West as a pragmatist, he is a man loyal to the regime. The regime is not based on ideology but on the control of resources and power. However, both Rafsanjani and his more dangerous adversary, Mostafa Moin, have challenged the legitimacy of the government and have made a call to limit the religious power. They have also promised the improvement of relations with the United States, a popular promise only the extreme right do not make.
These are encouraging developments, especially if we take into account this elections were doomed to be a null event. And even if they do not have a-Georgian-or-Ukrainian-style end, they have shown the democratic crack is taking place.