Iranians head to the polls on 26 February for two crucial elections: one for a new parliament and the other for the Assembly of Experts, the body that appoints the Supreme Leader. These are the first elections since the nuclear deal and the lifting of sanctions, offering a test of public mood and the country's direction.
The parliament consists of 290 seats contested by around 6,000 candidates. While there are no formal political parties, MPs align into blocs supporting either moderate or hardline agendas. Since President Hassan Rouhani signed the nuclear deal last July, tensions between these camps have intensified, with hardliners resisting his push for political reform at home.
The Assembly of Experts, which serves an eight-year term, holds significant influence as it selects the Supreme Leader. Current leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aged 76 and in poor health, may need a successor during the next Assembly's term, adding urgency to the vote. A total of 161 candidates are vying for 88 seats, with moderates like Hassan Khomeini disqualified by the Guardian Council.
President Rouhani and former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani are standing for re-election to the Assembly, aiming to form a moderate bloc to counter ultra-conservatives. The economy remains a key issue, with Iran in recession despite sanctions relief. Parliament must work with the government to address public expectations for change while implementing structural reforms.
Iranian politics has become more fractured, with conservatives splitting into hardline and pragmatic factions, and reformists moving toward the centre. Local issues often dominate voting outside big cities, making outcomes unpredictable. Around 55 million people are eligible to vote, with many seeing elections as their chance to influence the system, though the disqualification of many reformist candidates has dampened hopes.
