Iranian state TV: Hardliners win landslide victory in low-turnout electio

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Iranian state TV: Hardliners win landslide victory in low-turnout election

Jacob Knutson

Iranian state TV announced Sunday that hardliners won a landslide victory in the country's parliamentary elections two days ago, including all 30 seats in Tehran, AP reports.

Why it matters: Voter turnout in the election reached only 42.57%, according to Iran's Interior Ministry, the first time turnout dipped below 50% since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The low turnout may signal dissatisfaction with the Iranian government and the election system.

The landslide victory for hardliners will make capturing the presidency in 2021 even easier.

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https://www.axios.com/iran-election-hardliners-low-turnout-d631fa6b-5f03-4deb-b86a-979704de7dce.html

[TomSea]

World News
February 22, 2020 / 9:53 AM / Updated a day ago
Iran's 'cup of poison'? Hardline win may point to eventual U.S. talks
Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) - Anti-Western hardliners are set to sweep Iran’s parliamentary elections and appear favorites to clinch the presidency next year, but an economic crisis could force them to engage with the United States despite their tightening grip on power.

Tehran has ruled out any talks with Washington unless it lifts crippling sanctions reimposed on Iran after U.S. President Donald Trump exited a 2015 multinational nuclear pact with Iran and demanded a broader deal.

But growing discontent over economic hardship, which led many Iranians to abstain from Friday’s vote, could force the Islamic Republic’s clerical rulers to choose diplomacy over the kind of confrontation that almost led to all-out war in January.

More at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-election-usa-analysis/irans-cup-of-poison-hardline-win-may-point-to-eventual-u-s-talks-idUSKCN20G0M4