IRAN VOTES
Parliamentary ELECTION 29 APRIL 2016
Iranians voted in a second round of parliamentary elections over 68 contested seats. Although allies of reformist President Hassan Rouhani broke the control of hardliners, they were not able to secure a majority.
Rouhani's moderate and centrist allies had made gains in the first round of elections in February for parliament, and the Assembly of Experts, a clerical body that elects the next Supreme Leader.
The parliament has no direct control over major policy matters, but it can back the policies of Rouhani to bolster the sanction-hit economy. The new term began at the end of May with moderate conservative Ali Larijani re-elected as the temporary speaker.
Iranians voted in a second round of parliamentary elections over 68 contested seats. Although allies of reformist President Hassan Rouhani broke the control of hardliners, they were not able to secure a majority.
The parliament has no direct control over major policy matters, but it can back the policies of Rouhani to bolster the sanction-hit economy. The new term began at the end of May with moderate conservative Ali Larijani re-elected as the temporary speaker.
Sources: Reuters
By Jessica Wang, Simon Scarr and Travis Hartman | REUTERS GRAPHICS