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Conservatives forge ahead in Iran parliament vote

Iran Materials 15 March 2008 16:53 (UTC +04:00)

(Reuters) - Conservatives took an early lead in an election for Iran's 290-seat parliament with 108 seats to 33 for their reformist opponents, Iran's state Press TV said on Saturday, citing unofficial results so far.

Friday's election was seen as likely to keep conservatives in control of parliament, while adding more voices critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's economic policies.

Many reformists, seeking political and social change and trying to capitalize on public discontent over inflation, were blocked from standing in the polls.

Conservative politician Shahabeddin Sadr said 70 percent of winners so far were "principlists" -- a label conservatives use to describe their loyalty to the Islamic Republic's ideals. He did not say how many seats had been decided.

Sadr is the secretary of the United Front, the biggest and most pro-government conservative group, which confusingly includes both backers and critics of Ahmadinejad.

Sadr, quoted by the state's IRNA news agency, said most of the "principlists" elected were United Front candidates.

Even if conservatives keep the upper hand in parliament, some reformists expected Ahmadinejad to face sharper scrutiny.

"The president will face more challenges with the next parliament than he did with the current one," said Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a close ally of reformist ex-President Mohammad Khatami.

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