Women and young Iranians, who swept Khatami to presidency, are going to “come out strong in this election too as they have felt the impact of their presence,” political analyst Farzaneh Roostaee said.
“Ahmadinejad’s government has alienated and antagonized the urban middle class,” she said, describing the incumbent’s support camp as “hardliners, a small rich group linked to the government and rural, lower income people.”
“But it is Iran’s city people who call the shots in the elections,” said Roostaee, diplomatic editor of leading reformist daily Etemad.
“Depending on their turnout, big victories and defeats are scored in Iran,” she said. “This election will be signified by a ‘spiteful vote,’ a chance to say no to the status quo.”
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