Mr. Ahmadinejad’s fiery talk goes down well at home, and the stand-off with the United Nations, and in particular with the United States, over Iran’s nuclear- weapons program continues. But the scope for it to draw attention from his domestic troubles may be declining. The National Intelligence Estimate… has made it less likely that the United States would launch a pre- emptive military attack on Iran. In turn, ordinary Iranians have less to distract them from the economic shortcomings of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s rule. Within the country much debate is focused on more mundane economic matters ahead of parliamentary elections in March.
Mr. Ahmadinejad, a former mayor of Tehran, was elected as president in 2005 promising to revive Iran’s flagging economy and to root out corruption, not to goad America. But, despite booming prices for oil and gas, the economy has managed to grow only moderately, by between 4% and 6% in recent years. Nor are revenues being spent wisely. Mr. Ahmadinejad makes frequent promises of big projects while on tours of rural areas, but much government cash goes on wasteful subsidies on domestic fuel consumption. …
Both reformist and conservative opponents of the government are hoping to capitalize on the current discontent in the forthcoming parliamentary elections… In mid-January candidates registered all over the country for the elections. It is then up to the Council of Guardians to decide who may stand. Opponents of Mr. Ahmadinejad fear that candidates who do not support the president will be blocked. Candidates who are able to stand are, however, likely to do well as dissatisfaction with the government grows… Although the ayatollah is still likely to back the president’s candidates in the election, tiny chinks may be appearing in Iran’s leadership just as the mood turns icy on the streets. Access the full article>>