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The tensions grew so bitter that Khamenei suggested that Iran could someday abandon the presidency and return to a government selected by parliament. The upcoming elections, however, pose a dilemma for the ruling system. It has the power to vet candidates and deny anyone with even a hint of pro-Ahmadinejad sentiments. But it also is desperate to avoid a low turnout, which could raise questions about national unity with Western pressures intensifying. Khamenei last Friday urged the Guardian Council -- which must clear all candidates
-- to keep the field wide. At the moment, more than 3,200 names have been approved out of some 5,500 hopefuls for the 290-seat parliament. Officials have predicted up to 60 percent turnout. Noticeably absent is any political bloc drawing inspiration from the outlawed Green Movement, which led the outrage after Ahmadinejad's re-election, which protesters charged was rigged, and whose leaders are silenced under house arrest. "The election is hot among political factions, but cold among the people," said Tehran-based political analyst Sajjad Salek. "Supporters of Ahmadinejad may be defeated in major centers, but they have a chance in small cities and towns." Iran's parliament has no direct ability to force policy decisions on Khamenei or the powerful forces under his control, including the Revolutionary Guard military establishment. But parliament's influential national security committee and other groups often help shape decisions on critical issues such as the nuclear standoff or efforts to ease the diplomatic deep freeze with the U.S. The current parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, served as Iran's chief nuclear negotiator. Davood Hermidas Bavand, a prominent political commentator in Tehran, said a political boost from the parliamentary elections could encourage Ahmadinejad to spend his last year in office trying to open channels with Washington
-- which many believe Ahmadinejad seeks as part of his political legacy. But Bavand acknowledges that the president could only take small steps. "Major decisions, like improving ties with the U.S., have to be made at a higher level," he said.
[Associated
Press;
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