Iran’s Rouhani ‘very pleased’ moderate MPs elected

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says he is “very pleased” voters backed moderate politicians in the elections and that he hopes cooperation with his government will soon replace confrontation in parliament.

At a press conference in Tehran, Rouhani, considered a relative moderate in Iran’s political system which also encompasses factions of hard-line conservatives and reformists, praises the electorate for backing his allies at the ballot box in the February 26 polls.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a press conference on March 6, 2016 in the capital Tehran (AFP / ATTA KENARE)
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a press conference in the capital, Tehran, on March 6, 2016. (AFP/Atta Kenare)

The 67-year-old president has faced opposition in parliament, including on his landmark nuclear deal with world powers, and his officials have also been shouted down when addressing lawmakers.

“I am very pleased that mostly the moderate candidates made it to the parliament,” Rouhani says.

“This means that the people of Iran have chosen moderation and opened that path. This is a message from the people to all officials” of the Islamic republic, he adds, saying it paved the way for much brighter prospects than in recent years.

AFP

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