Although many analysts believe that Iran’s reformist parties don’t have any chance to compete with their hard liner rivals, but Iranian lawmaker Kazem Jalali says Mohammad Shariatmadari will lead reformists in next presidential election in the country which is scheduled to be held on June, 2013.
“I think that they (reformists) have opportunity to take part in upcoming election but they must introduce an acceptable candidate.” Kazem Jalali told reporters. Currently the real reformists are asking Mohammad Khatami, the former president of Islamic Republic, to announce his nomination but conservatives don’t “accept” Khatami as a candidate because they say Khatami had a pivotal role in Iran’s 2009 and 2010 post election protests.
“Reformists have many problems on the other sides. For example they are not united enough to defeat conservatives. Also the main figure of reformists who will lead left wing political parties is still unknown but I guess Shariatmadari will be the leader.” Kazem Jalali, a member of the Majlis (as of 2006) for three progressive periods from the city of Shahrood, added.
Mohammad Shariatmadari used to serve as commerce minister under Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. However he has not resumed his political career since then but nowadays many reformists have sight on him and it seems Shariatmadari could be a great option for left wing political parties.
Jalali also talked about the secret and undercover sessions between Iranian parliament and government. According to him, two major organizations are going to address local economic issues and government is looking to pay people in cash to reduce current financial pressures.