'The Ayatollah Calls the Shots'

Der Spiegel (Germany) ^ | June 12, 2009

[Schnucki]

Iranians go to the polls on Friday to choose between the hardline President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and his nearest rival Mir Hossein Mousavi. German commentators warn, however, that even if the more moderate candidate prevails the real power lies with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

It has been a hotly contested election campaign that electrified voters and looks set to lead to record turnout. Iranians head to the polls on Friday to elect their president and while there are four official candidates it has essentially become a two-horse race between the hardline incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and the more moderate conservative Mir Hossein Mousavi.

After weeks of election fever, including late-night demonstrations that turned into massive street parties, Iranians turned out in droves on Friday to cast their ballots. By mid-morning lines were growing at several polling stations in Tehran with at least 100 people waiting to vote. State television said the voting would be extended to 8 p.m. local time to accommodate the high turnout which is expected to hit over 70 percent.

On Friday, Mousavi complained that some of his representatives had been denied access to polling stations to monitor voting and he said that text messaging services on mobile phones had been disrupted -- a development confirmed by Iran's telecommunications ministry. The former prime minister is hoping for a strong turnout from young voters, many of whom boycotted the 2005 elections.

While Ahmedinejad portrays himself as the champion of the poor, particularly in rural areas, Mousavi has whipped up enormous support among young people and women hoping for an easing of the strict curbs to personal freedoms that have been exacerbated under the current president. However, the economy has also been a major issue, with Iran suffering from high unemployment and spiralling inflation.

[SolidWood]

German commentators warn, however, that even if the more moderate candidate prevails the real power lies with the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

Wow! We would never have guessed without "German commentators"!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[SolidWood]

I was being sarcastic. ;o)

SPIEGEL is mostly pontificating euro-socialist drivel. No reason to complain. 90% of US media stuff is drivel, too.

[Blue State Insurgent]

The Ayatollah had better start looking for a condo in Beirut now.

The Iranian gangster mullah regime is coming to an end.

[remaxagnt]

just heard on fox the nut case lost!!!!!!!!!!!

[Blue State Insurgent]

Woohoo!

Freedom for Iranians means that the war on terror is over.

[SolidWood]

You are joking right?

[Blue State Insurgent]

No joke. Freedom for Iran means that we have won the war on terror.

[SolidWood]

“Voting” Ahmadinejad out and Musavi in, does not mean Freedom for Iran. The election is a sham. The Ayatollah and the mullah mafia hold the power. Nothing changes with this fake election.

Yes Freedom for Iran means Victory in the War on Terror.
But Freedom for Iran comes only through the end of the regime, not just the current President.

[Blue State Insurgent]

I'm familiar with how the power structure is set up in Iran. Sham election or not, it appears that the clerics have lost control of the masses and the hillbilly goon squad enforcers are nowhere to be seen. Seriously, I believe the days of gangster mullah regime now are numbered. The people have had enough and are emboldened. Everything will chamge, watch and see.

And congratulations to George W. Bush, as well. Nicely done!