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TEHRAN-Politicians launched their campaigns on Thursday for Iran's March 14 parliamentary election which is expected to provide a gauge of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's chances for re-election next year.The election to the 290-seat assembly, dominated by hardline conservatives who swept to power in the 2004 vote and went on to back Ahmadinejad's winning presidential bid the next year, will not directly affect foreign, oil or other major policies.But the president's economic management, blamed for 19 percent inflation, has prompted many of his allies to become critical, even if analysts say members of parliament backed the spending policies that largely caused the price rises."Together, we will choose well, we will live well," said a banner for the conservative Islamic Coalition Party put up in a major square in Tehran."Say tomorrow is ours," said a banner for Shahabeddin Sadr, who backs Ahmadinejad, the words echoing an Iranian pop song.MPs seeking re-election have defended their performance and vowed to curb surging prices, one of the biggest grumbles for most voters in the world's fourth largest oil producer."If our friends who have become candidates...are able to enter parliament with your votes, we will try to decrease the pressure of high prices and inflation on poor people," Parliament Speaker Gholamali Haddadadel told a campaign meeting.Haddadadel is the top candidate of the United Front, the biggest conservative coalition that is expected to dominate the race. It includes both supporters and opponents of Ahmadinejad but is widely seen as the most pro-government coalition running.To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah....
