A tight race for Iran's contentious presidential elections

Global Power Barometer (GPB): What is your impression of the 2009 Iranian presidential race so far?



Dr. Kaveh Afrasiabi: This Friday, June 12, will be a special moment in the history of Islamic Republic whose legitimacy as well as its international standing will benefit by allowing a highly competitive race featuring multiple candidates vying for a share of Iran's 46 million eligible voters.

The whole country has been riveted by the electrifying euphoria of a democratic implosion that is somewhat reminiscent of the early days of Islamic revolution. Irrespective of the final outcome -- and there is a distinct possibility of a run-off due to the strong challenges to the incumbent president Ahmadinejad by the three "establishment" candidates. This election is noteworthy for its qualitative expansion of political society reflected in the surge of democratization that, in all likelihood, will not recede after the elections. The current regime's consolidation and growing self-confidence are major factors for this unprecedented "deliberative democracy"(1) in Iran. The debate is dominated by polarizing discourses and intense acrimony, thanks in part to the 6 nationally-televised debates among the four candidates, Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister, Mehdi Karoubi, a liberal clergy, Mohsen Rezaee, a former commander of revolutionary guards, and preside...        MORE