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By Leigh Catherine Miles
Editor, Iran Election Bulletin

Dear Reader,

Last week former President Mohammad Khatami, seen by many as the hope of the reformers, withdrew from the presidential race in favor of fellow candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. The field, for now, has narrowed to three serious presidential contenders: Mousavi, fellow reformist Mehdi Karroubi and the conservative incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. While still three months from election day, the Iranian public is starting to ask how each candidate would lead the country. However, there is a notable lack of substance in campaign speeches or discussion of the issues that would define and distinguish the candidates. As Iran analyst Geneive Abdo explains in her article in this week’s Iran Election Bulletin, personalities are trumping platforms.

While the candidates may not be talking policy, the Iranian electorate is engaged in debate. The economy, with its rampant unemployment and inflation, understandably figures most prominently in voters’ concerns. Others in the electorate want to see a marked change in social and political freedoms and/or Iran’s relations with the international community. Iranian author Masih Alinejad lays out some of the basic demands of the Iranian public: freedom of expression, personal safety, an end to state repression, measured foreign policy and employment and economic betterment.

A mood of pessimism and frustration hangs over the election period, reflecting the disparity between the public’s clear concerns and the candidates’ policy generalities. While the candidates may begin to speak more clearly once the final slate is announced by the Guardian Council, the Supreme Leader’s constitutionally mandated oversight body, on May 20th, the public is not optimistic it will hear anything new.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of the Iran Election Bulletin, and welcome you to

email me with any questions or comments you may have.

Sincerely,
Leigh Catherine Miles
Editor