No-choice election: In Iran, it's all up to the Supreme Leader

The power of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei makes the June 18 presidential election a foregone conclusion, with the reformists shut out and mostly hardliners in the running

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, is in charge of all major decision-making. This applies to foreign policy as well as to key aspects of domestic politics. Whatever major changes the president pursues would have to be approved by the supreme leader.
PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Every four years when Iran holds an election for a new president, hopes are high that eventually a genuine reformist will take over and modernise the theocratic system. But more often than not, these hopes are dashed. It is therefore time to face the bitter reality: The Islamic Republic of Iran is not designed to enable change by means of elections - and this time, it will not be any different.

In fact, some observers rather cynically believe that the upcoming presidential election on June 18 is more honest than previous ones.

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