Iran reformists sweep Teheran council elections: Agencies

The electorate in Iran's capital, Teheran, have choosen reformists like Mohsen Hashemi to represent them as they swept all 21 seats in the council elections. PHOTO: EPA

TEHERAN (AFP) - Iran's reformists have swept to the power in Teheran's city council, winning all 21 seats and knocking the conservatives from power, local media reported on Sunday (May 21).

It was another boost to the reformist camp after the resounding re-election of President Hassan Rouhani announced the day before.

The results of the council elections, which were held alongside the presidential ballot on Friday, were announced by the governor's office.

Voters in Teheran had to choose 21 councillors for the city of 9 million, and stuck resolutely to the names put forward by the moderate-reformist camp.

At the top of the list was Mr Mohsen Hashemi, son of one of the Islamic republic's founding fathers, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who died in January.

Rafsanjani was the key backroom figure behind the recent alliance of moderates and reformists that propelled Mr Rouhani to power in 2013.

The victory in Teheran knocks the conservatives from power in the city for the first time in 14 years.

The incumbent mayor, Mr Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stood for the presidential election, but dropped out just before the vote to back hardliner Ebrahim Raisi.

The council will choose a new mayor when it convenes, which it must do within 45 days of the results.

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