IRAN: Iranians prepare for parliamentary election with economic issues high on the agenda

Record ID: 313551

  • Title: IRAN: Iranians prepare for parliamentary election with economic issues high on the agenda
  • Date: 10th March 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) SHOPKEEPER WORKING IN BAZAAR MEYSAM AHMADI SAYING: "(I expect them) to pay attention to people's situation...inflation is hiking." PEOPLE WALKING IN BAZAAR (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) SHOPKEEPER WRKING IN BAZAAR MASOUD AMIRI SAYING: "We want to show that we participate in determining on our fate. I think participation in the election is a human and Iranian duty." PEOPLE WALKING, WATCHING AND SHOPPING IN BAZAAR (SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) SHOPKEEPER WORKING IN BAZAAR MASOUD AMIRI SAYING: "They must promise about something that they can fulfil. They really must work and attempt to solve youth's problems in housing and unemployment. Slogans are not enough, they must act."
  • Embargoed: 25th March 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Economic News,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6MJUAN25OXCSPX06YERW5CL9P
  • Story Text: Iranians go to the polls this week in an election that could indicate how popular President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is.
    In eleven days time Iran celebrates the New Year (March 21).
    Before then there is an election (March 14), and the result could determine how Iran's new year pans out.
    There are few better places to judge the mood of a nation than on the streets and in the shopping centres.
    Many people go to the Bazaar in south Tehran to buy gifts for the New Year.
    Here they gossip about Iran's future and the politics of the day.
    Friday's election is the 8th parliamentary election since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
    Some voters say the politicians must pay attention to people's economic problems. Inflation is rising and Iranians are looking for action.
    Politicians must fulfill their promises, says one Tehran shopkeeper.
    Another says participating in the election is an Iranian duty.
    Interior Minister Mostafa Pourmand says 4500 candidates are qualified to run.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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