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Short Round critics to launch conservative coalition
Iranian conservatives critical of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are forming a coalition for March 14 legislative elections built around three heavyweight figures, MPs said on Monday.The new conservative coalition, which will rival another grouping closer to Ahmadinejad, is to be built around former nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani, ex-Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezaie and Tehran mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. The move appears set to split conservatives into two camps, one supportive of Ahmadinejad and the other containing conservatives who have been critical of his controversial policies. "The coalition will include the political friends of Ali Larijani, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Mohsen Rezaie," said Reza Talaie Nik, a conservative MP. "The understanding between Larijani, Rezaie and Qalibaf has allowed the creation of this coalition." The coalition will be called the "Broad and Popular Coalition of Principalists," he said. Larijani is himself standing in the elections, which will be seen as a crucial popularity test for Ahmadinejad ahead of 2009 presidential elections. Posted by: Fred 2008-01-15 |
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