This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/20/iranian-elections-opposition-president-hossein-mousavi
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iranian elections: 'Opposition? There is no such word here' | Iranian elections: 'Opposition? There is no such word here' |
| (4 months later) | |
| "I will vote," says Arash, a university student who has just turned 18. "I don't know any of the real candidates yet but I will vote, because I can. | "I will vote," says Arash, a university student who has just turned 18. "I don't know any of the real candidates yet but I will vote, because I can. |
| "We have to try to make changes," he explains amid a birthday party in the middle-class Tehran neighbourhood of Gisha. "By not doing anything, nothing will happen." He says those who fail to act are "living their lives like a herd of sheep by putting their fate in the hands of others. | "We have to try to make changes," he explains amid a birthday party in the middle-class Tehran neighbourhood of Gisha. "By not doing anything, nothing will happen." He says those who fail to act are "living their lives like a herd of sheep by putting their fate in the hands of others. |
| "For me, though, this is a chance to practise my democratic rights." | "For me, though, this is a chance to practise my democratic rights." |
| For many Iranians who have become eligible to vote since the last presidential election, in 2009, the awakening of political consciousness came with the emergence of the opposition Green Movement and its violent suppression over the months that followed. | For many Iranians who have become eligible to vote since the last presidential election, in 2009, the awakening of political consciousness came with the emergence of the opposition Green Movement and its violent suppression over the months that followed. |
| "I don't know who is actually running since no one knows who'll be on the final list vetted by the Guardian Council," Arash adds. In 2009, 475 Iranians registered to run for president. Only four were approved as candidates after vetting by the council of religious and legal experts. This year, there are 686 would-be chief executives. | "I don't know who is actually running since no one knows who'll be on the final list vetted by the Guardian Council," Arash adds. In 2009, 475 Iranians registered to run for president. Only four were approved as candidates after vetting by the council of religious and legal experts. This year, there are 686 would-be chief executives. |
| Arash say he is interested to find out who among them will be the "real" candidates; some of his friends at the party feel differently. Omid, who will turn 18 just before the ballot, on 14 June, is very pessimistic about the whole process. | Arash say he is interested to find out who among them will be the "real" candidates; some of his friends at the party feel differently. Omid, who will turn 18 just before the ballot, on 14 June, is very pessimistic about the whole process. |
| "I won't vote in these elections," he says. "I don't know any of the people who are running, and from what I have seen over the last four years, and all of the hardships that my parents have experienced since the last election, I don't think that my vote even counts." | "I won't vote in these elections," he says. "I don't know any of the people who are running, and from what I have seen over the last four years, and all of the hardships that my parents have experienced since the last election, I don't think that my vote even counts." |
| Amir, 23, says: "I have one vote, and I will use it." He is sporting a bohemian look, with a long, curly ponytail and large spectacles. "I guess each person has a duty toward the society, wherever one lives. We live together in this city, in this province, in this country, and we have to get involved. I will vote not only in the presidential election but in the municipal and regional elections as well." | Amir, 23, says: "I have one vote, and I will use it." He is sporting a bohemian look, with a long, curly ponytail and large spectacles. "I guess each person has a duty toward the society, wherever one lives. We live together in this city, in this province, in this country, and we have to get involved. I will vote not only in the presidential election but in the municipal and regional elections as well." |
| In an apparent move to boost participation in the presidential poll, the regional elections will be held for the first time on the same day. | In an apparent move to boost participation in the presidential poll, the regional elections will be held for the first time on the same day. |
| Who will get his vote? | Who will get his vote? |
| He says that, except for the former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, any of the reformists who may be running are unknown to him. | He says that, except for the former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, any of the reformists who may be running are unknown to him. |
| Though he has not generally been considered a reformist, Rafsanjani did publicly call for the government to address protesters' grievances in 2009. On 11 May, the final day of registration for potential presidential candidates, he submitted his name. Khatami – who did not register – had announced his support for Rafsanjani the day before, declaring: "I think he is the person who can best help the system and solve the people's problems." | Though he has not generally been considered a reformist, Rafsanjani did publicly call for the government to address protesters' grievances in 2009. On 11 May, the final day of registration for potential presidential candidates, he submitted his name. Khatami – who did not register – had announced his support for Rafsanjani the day before, declaring: "I think he is the person who can best help the system and solve the people's problems." |
| Amir continues: "The only other person who has a good chance is [the Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher] Ghalibaf. | Amir continues: "The only other person who has a good chance is [the Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher] Ghalibaf. |
| "However, unless we have the full list in front of us, it's hard to make a choice. Nevertheless, I will not vote for a violent person or a person representing a radical and violent ideology." | "However, unless we have the full list in front of us, it's hard to make a choice. Nevertheless, I will not vote for a violent person or a person representing a radical and violent ideology." |
| A recent audio recording of Ghalibaf has since surfaced linking him directly to the violent suppression of protests in 1999 and thereafter. Reportedly speaking to a group of young Basiji paramilitary government loyalists about three weeks ago, Ghalibaf even boasts about beating them himself with a stick from the back seat of a motorbike. | A recent audio recording of Ghalibaf has since surfaced linking him directly to the violent suppression of protests in 1999 and thereafter. Reportedly speaking to a group of young Basiji paramilitary government loyalists about three weeks ago, Ghalibaf even boasts about beating them himself with a stick from the back seat of a motorbike. |
| Overhearing Amir's comments, Parisa, 24, and her boyfriend, Mohammad, 25, erupt into an argument. In June 2009, Parisa had just started working as a camerawoman and journalist at a reformist newspaper. | Overhearing Amir's comments, Parisa, 24, and her boyfriend, Mohammad, 25, erupt into an argument. In June 2009, Parisa had just started working as a camerawoman and journalist at a reformist newspaper. |
| During the demonstrations that followed the announcement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, she was severely beaten by the security forces. | During the demonstrations that followed the announcement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election, she was severely beaten by the security forces. |
| "I have one vote," says Mohammad, echoing Amir. "I will exercise it because it's important to me … What do you suggest?" | "I have one vote," says Mohammad, echoing Amir. "I will exercise it because it's important to me … What do you suggest?" |
| "I suggest we boycott the elections," Parisa replies. "They will do what they want, no matter what we say. Even if we do participate, they will pull out a majority vote for who they want from the ballot boxes, and get on with their plans." | "I suggest we boycott the elections," Parisa replies. "They will do what they want, no matter what we say. Even if we do participate, they will pull out a majority vote for who they want from the ballot boxes, and get on with their plans." |
| He responds: "If we participate and vote for our own candidate, even if it is a choice between bad and worse, at least we show that we do exist. It shows that there is an opposition." | He responds: "If we participate and vote for our own candidate, even if it is a choice between bad and worse, at least we show that we do exist. It shows that there is an opposition." |
| Parisa points to a scar on the back of her neck, left by the beating she suffered four years ago. "Opposition? There is no such word in the vocabulary of the Islamic Republic." | Parisa points to a scar on the back of her neck, left by the beating she suffered four years ago. "Opposition? There is no such word in the vocabulary of the Islamic Republic." |
| "You say that we are not important for these people," says Mohammad. "It really depends on how you look at this issue. Ignoring our social and political rights is one thing. But we were, and are, important enough for them to spend millions of dollars on anti-riot gear, phone-tapping and tracing technology, CCTV and crowd-monitoring tools, satellite signal jamming and hundreds of other suppression devices to take us down. They are afraid of us. They are afraid of the youth born in the late 80s and 90s. So we are important, and we have to participate in the elections." | "You say that we are not important for these people," says Mohammad. "It really depends on how you look at this issue. Ignoring our social and political rights is one thing. But we were, and are, important enough for them to spend millions of dollars on anti-riot gear, phone-tapping and tracing technology, CCTV and crowd-monitoring tools, satellite signal jamming and hundreds of other suppression devices to take us down. They are afraid of us. They are afraid of the youth born in the late 80s and 90s. So we are important, and we have to participate in the elections." |
| Parisa answers: "For them, we are only important to make the election look sensational and successful. Just before the 2009 election we were practically dancing in the streets. But what happened right after that? I lost my job, our home phone was tapped for several years, and my family and I were regularly insulted. Until just a few months ago, we were all living in hell. We do not have any power against the mullahs. I will not vote." | Parisa answers: "For them, we are only important to make the election look sensational and successful. Just before the 2009 election we were practically dancing in the streets. But what happened right after that? I lost my job, our home phone was tapped for several years, and my family and I were regularly insulted. Until just a few months ago, we were all living in hell. We do not have any power against the mullahs. I will not vote." |
| Outside the Tehran University of Art, two postgraduate classmates stand chatting. "Well, naturally, I want these elections to bring about positive, lasting change in our country," says Mahmoud, 24. "I don't care for all the chaos. I'd prefer candidates who actually want to participate and contribute to a healthy process." | Outside the Tehran University of Art, two postgraduate classmates stand chatting. "Well, naturally, I want these elections to bring about positive, lasting change in our country," says Mahmoud, 24. "I don't care for all the chaos. I'd prefer candidates who actually want to participate and contribute to a healthy process." |
| Mahmoud, who wears his hair and beard long, says that despite the fraud many Iranians believe was committed to ensure Ahmadinejad's 2009 victory, he is ready to go to the polls again this year. | Mahmoud, who wears his hair and beard long, says that despite the fraud many Iranians believe was committed to ensure Ahmadinejad's 2009 victory, he is ready to go to the polls again this year. |
| "I'm like someone whose mum slaps him," he says. "I won't run away after it happens once; but if it happens a second time, I'm gone." | "I'm like someone whose mum slaps him," he says. "I won't run away after it happens once; but if it happens a second time, I'm gone." |
| "When I say I'm going to vote, I mean a vote only for Rafsanjani or Khatami," he stresses. "I won't be voting for anyone else. I would honestly like to see Khatami as president. He is in the best position to free [Mir Hossein] Mousavi, [Mehdi] Karroubi and other political prisoners." | "When I say I'm going to vote, I mean a vote only for Rafsanjani or Khatami," he stresses. "I won't be voting for anyone else. I would honestly like to see Khatami as president. He is in the best position to free [Mir Hossein] Mousavi, [Mehdi] Karroubi and other political prisoners." |
| In response to large street protests that took place around the country on 14 February 2011, the two opposition leaders and their wives, Zahra Rahnavard and Fatemeh Karroubi, were placed under house arrest and cut off almost entirely from the outside world. (Fatemeh Karroubi was released a few months later.) | In response to large street protests that took place around the country on 14 February 2011, the two opposition leaders and their wives, Zahra Rahnavard and Fatemeh Karroubi, were placed under house arrest and cut off almost entirely from the outside world. (Fatemeh Karroubi was released a few months later.) |
| Kourosh, Mahmoud's 26-year-old classmate, says how much he wishes Khatami would run. I ask his opinion of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's closest political confidant, who did register to run. | Kourosh, Mahmoud's 26-year-old classmate, says how much he wishes Khatami would run. I ask his opinion of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, Ahmadinejad's closest political confidant, who did register to run. |
| Mashaei has been the target of scorn by many in the ruling conservative establishment because of statements he has made that place Iranian nationalism on a par with the state's Islamic identity. Does he count as an opposition candidate? | Mashaei has been the target of scorn by many in the ruling conservative establishment because of statements he has made that place Iranian nationalism on a par with the state's Islamic identity. Does he count as an opposition candidate? |
| "I'm willing to vote for the most rightwing fundamentalist out there before I vote for him," says Koroush. "He is a two-faced hypocrite … like his president." | "I'm willing to vote for the most rightwing fundamentalist out there before I vote for him," says Koroush. "He is a two-faced hypocrite … like his president." |
| Ali, the 26-year-old owner of an internet cafe on a major Tehran boulevard, describes what the coming election means for his livelihood. | Ali, the 26-year-old owner of an internet cafe on a major Tehran boulevard, describes what the coming election means for his livelihood. |
| "Business is terrible right now," he says. "They have closed all of the VPNs [virtual private networks] and slowed down the internet speed to almost nothing. My customers are all gone. | "Business is terrible right now," he says. "They have closed all of the VPNs [virtual private networks] and slowed down the internet speed to almost nothing. My customers are all gone. |
| "I don't have any hope for any of them," he says of the presidential nominees. "They can't do anything. Someone who has already been president before will have to do it again. It would be great if Rafsanjani won again: he has a pretty good résumé." | "I don't have any hope for any of them," he says of the presidential nominees. "They can't do anything. Someone who has already been president before will have to do it again. It would be great if Rafsanjani won again: he has a pretty good résumé." |
| Ali says he doesn't think much about the events of 2009. "My identification card is full of stamps. I've participated in every election, and I most certainly will if Rafsanjani is running," he says. | Ali says he doesn't think much about the events of 2009. "My identification card is full of stamps. I've participated in every election, and I most certainly will if Rafsanjani is running," he says. |
| The card he refers to is his shenasnameh, issued to all Iranians at birth, in which each trip to the polls is recorded. | The card he refers to is his shenasnameh, issued to all Iranians at birth, in which each trip to the polls is recorded. |
| Sara, a 29-year-old cosmetics salesperson, says: "I'm not going to vote at all. In fact, I've never voted. My ID card is totally empty. | Sara, a 29-year-old cosmetics salesperson, says: "I'm not going to vote at all. In fact, I've never voted. My ID card is totally empty. |
| "When it's so obvious how engineered everything is, why waste my time? | "When it's so obvious how engineered everything is, why waste my time? |
| Why get all dressed up and grab a pen and go write down someone's name?" Nor does she think highly of the opposition: "I won't even vote for the Green Movement candidates, if they run. They've got only their own interests at heart. They are concerned with consolidating power." | Why get all dressed up and grab a pen and go write down someone's name?" Nor does she think highly of the opposition: "I won't even vote for the Green Movement candidates, if they run. They've got only their own interests at heart. They are concerned with consolidating power." |
| Shopping at Sara's counter, 23-year-old Elna is of the same mind. | Shopping at Sara's counter, 23-year-old Elna is of the same mind. |
| "I've just got no energy for elections any more," says the sociology student. "Everything was so awesome four years ago; it really made us want to participate. But not this time. They're all the same. There might be a bit of difference here and there, but in the end they're all just killing and maiming people with no accountability whatsoever, aren't they? | "I've just got no energy for elections any more," says the sociology student. "Everything was so awesome four years ago; it really made us want to participate. But not this time. They're all the same. There might be a bit of difference here and there, but in the end they're all just killing and maiming people with no accountability whatsoever, aren't they? |
| "Considering all that has happened, there's no chance of the atmosphere of four years ago coming back. People are terrified," Elna concludes. "It's no use any more. Ultimately, they couldn't do anything." | "Considering all that has happened, there's no chance of the atmosphere of four years ago coming back. People are terrified," Elna concludes. "It's no use any more. Ultimately, they couldn't do anything." |
| Mohammad, 24, a member of the engineering corps of the Basij, says he voted for Ahmadinejad in both 2005 and 2009. But this time, he adds: "I just hope Mashaei doesn't run, or anyone from Ahmadinejad's circle, for that matter. It would probably lead to more infighting that would ultimately hurt the regime. Ahmadinejad more or less stands against the greater interests of the regime now, and [that] has made support for him untenable for a lot of people." | Mohammad, 24, a member of the engineering corps of the Basij, says he voted for Ahmadinejad in both 2005 and 2009. But this time, he adds: "I just hope Mashaei doesn't run, or anyone from Ahmadinejad's circle, for that matter. It would probably lead to more infighting that would ultimately hurt the regime. Ahmadinejad more or less stands against the greater interests of the regime now, and [that] has made support for him untenable for a lot of people." |
| Mehrdad, 28, who works for his father's food distribution company, disagrees vehemently. "I reject this entire regime. I'm not voting, even for Rafsanjani and Khatami: they act in their own way to legitimise the regime. I would only vote for Mir Hossein Mousavi. He's a real man. | Mehrdad, 28, who works for his father's food distribution company, disagrees vehemently. "I reject this entire regime. I'm not voting, even for Rafsanjani and Khatami: they act in their own way to legitimise the regime. I would only vote for Mir Hossein Mousavi. He's a real man. |
| "I'm surprised that Khamenei doesn't just become a candidate and put all our minds at ease," he says with a wry smile. "Maybe he's just a bit too modest." | "I'm surprised that Khamenei doesn't just become a candidate and put all our minds at ease," he says with a wry smile. "Maybe he's just a bit too modest." |
| In her third year of university studies, Sahar says the past two presidential elections have opened her eyes to "domestic and international realities". She blames the country's deepening economic woes on poor management by the government, coupled with international sanctions. Her father has his own food processing company, which he has run for 16 years. | In her third year of university studies, Sahar says the past two presidential elections have opened her eyes to "domestic and international realities". She blames the country's deepening economic woes on poor management by the government, coupled with international sanctions. Her father has his own food processing company, which he has run for 16 years. |
| "It was all going well until four or five years ago," she says. "In these last few years, he has struggled to even meet his payrolls. He may even be forced to shut the plant and declare bankruptcy. | "It was all going well until four or five years ago," she says. "In these last few years, he has struggled to even meet his payrolls. He may even be forced to shut the plant and declare bankruptcy. |
| "That's our condition here in the country. Then internationally, according to my friends and family, one has to endure much humiliation and indignity, and present a thousand and one reasons just to establish a bank account. | "That's our condition here in the country. Then internationally, according to my friends and family, one has to endure much humiliation and indignity, and present a thousand and one reasons just to establish a bank account. |
| "Given the way things are going, and the candidates they have announced so far, I will not participate in the elections … The president has already been picked." | "Given the way things are going, and the candidates they have announced so far, I will not participate in the elections … The president has already been picked." |
| More than 500 miles from the Iranian capital, two teenage boys are hanging out on the side of a road in the town of Torghabeh. It was here, in 1960, that the Tehran mayor, Ghalibaf, whom many see as a leading candidate, was born. Asked about Ghalibaf's popularity in his home town, 15-year-old Ghasem says: "I still don't really know. Nobody here actually cares about the elections, to be honest. I can't even vote." | More than 500 miles from the Iranian capital, two teenage boys are hanging out on the side of a road in the town of Torghabeh. It was here, in 1960, that the Tehran mayor, Ghalibaf, whom many see as a leading candidate, was born. Asked about Ghalibaf's popularity in his home town, 15-year-old Ghasem says: "I still don't really know. Nobody here actually cares about the elections, to be honest. I can't even vote." |
| Adel, 19, leans casually against his motorcycle and straightens out his baggy trousers. He says he has graduated from high school but currently has no plans to enter university, Unlike Ghasem, he is eligible to vote. | Adel, 19, leans casually against his motorcycle and straightens out his baggy trousers. He says he has graduated from high school but currently has no plans to enter university, Unlike Ghasem, he is eligible to vote. |
| "If Khatami or Ghalibaf runs, I'll vote for one of them. If Hashemi Rafsanjani ran, I'd vote for him, too. He's a clever bastard," he says, wryly. | "If Khatami or Ghalibaf runs, I'll vote for one of them. If Hashemi Rafsanjani ran, I'd vote for him, too. He's a clever bastard," he says, wryly. |
| Adel says his family voted for Mousavi, Ahmadinejad's reformist challenger, in 2009. "We all voted for Mousavi," he says. "Nobody voted for Ahmadinejad. Literally, all of Mashhad and Torghabeh voted for Mousavi." | Adel says his family voted for Mousavi, Ahmadinejad's reformist challenger, in 2009. "We all voted for Mousavi," he says. "Nobody voted for Ahmadinejad. Literally, all of Mashhad and Torghabeh voted for Mousavi." |
| Adel says that should neither Ghalibaf nor Khatami run, he will wait to see who else enters the race. He stresses, though, that he would never vote for Mashaei. | Adel says that should neither Ghalibaf nor Khatami run, he will wait to see who else enters the race. He stresses, though, that he would never vote for Mashaei. |
| "He can't fool me," he says. "He's no different from Ahmadinejad." | "He can't fool me," he says. "He's no different from Ahmadinejad." |
| Revising his position, he then says that if neither Ghalibaf nor Khatami chose to run, or were deemed ineligible, he would not vote at all. | Revising his position, he then says that if neither Ghalibaf nor Khatami chose to run, or were deemed ineligible, he would not vote at all. |
| Isn't that a risk? It is widely believed in Iran that getting a decent job requires a shenasnameh filled with the official stamps that indicate electoral participation. But Adel says he is not swayed. | Isn't that a risk? It is widely believed in Iran that getting a decent job requires a shenasnameh filled with the official stamps that indicate electoral participation. But Adel says he is not swayed. |
| "Why should I worry?" he asks. "I don't feel like voting. Let's see if they can come up with even four reasonable candidates, and then we'll talk about people voting." | "Why should I worry?" he asks. "I don't feel like voting. Let's see if they can come up with even four reasonable candidates, and then we'll talk about people voting." |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |