The same only different
The politics of presidential elections may have more cross-cultural similarities than we realize. This report is from London's Guardian:Election doubts over Ahmadinejad's health
"Speculation about the hyperactive leader's physical condition was prompted this week after a speech to the state statistics and planning body on Wednesday was cancelled at the last minute and a cabinet meeting took place without him. A speech to a martyr's commemoration event was also called off. A senior aide, Amir Mansour Borghei, told journalists that the president was 'indisposed'.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, helped by his bodyguards, at a religious ceremony on Saturday in Tehran. An official news agency said Sunday he was suffering from exhaustion."That explanation has triggered rumours that Ahmadinejad, 52, is suffering from a long-term illness that may force him to abandon plans to stand for re-election next year...
"The reports of cancellations come at a time when Ahmadinejad is wrestling with acute political problems, including near 30% inflation, rising unemployment, plummeting oil prices, a market traders' strike over a plan to impose VAT, and demands for the resignation of his interior minister...
"But more worrying is that the rumours appear to have given his critics a new stick to beat him with. Fellow hardliners inside Iran's so-called principalist - or fundamentalist - camp are calling for the president to withdraw from the presidential election unless doubts about his health are cleared up.
"Issa Saharkhiz, an Iranian political analyst, said the reports could have been fanned by Ahmadinejad's opponents, including the Tehran mayor, Muhammad Baqer Qalibaf, who are preparing to run against him..."
Officials Counter Ahmadinejad Health Rumors
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran is suffering from exhaustion because of the strain of his job, the official news agency IRNA reported Sunday in an unusual disclosure about the health of the country’s top elected leader. But the news agency quoted a political ally as saying Mr. Ahmadinejad would make a full recovery...
"The official news accounts apparently were meant to rebut rumors that Mr. Ahmadinejad, who is in his early 50s, may be ill and not up to running for re-election in June. Those rumors, on nongovernment Web sites including some associated with Mr. Ahmadinejad’s political rivals, have suggested that his condition could be more serious, particularly since he has canceled several events in the past week...
"The news came as Parliament moved on Sunday to impeach Interior Minister Ali Kordan, a close ally of Mr. Ahmadinejad over claims of lying about his university degrees. A vote was set for Nov. 4..."
Labels: Iran, leadership, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:06 AM
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Iran's Parliament Sacks Minister In Blow to President
"Iran's parliament sacked the interior minister on Tuesday in a blow to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ahead of next year's presidential election.
"MPs voted overwhelmingly to remove Ali Kordan, whose job is crucial in organizing the 2009 race, accusing him of forging his degree from Britain's Oxford University.
"His impeachment was part of a power struggle between hardline backers of Ahmadinejad and his opponents including reformers and moderate conservatives who blame the government for the failing economy, political analysts said..."
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