Iranians expect a lot from upcoming parliament

The election time in Iran has turned into a season to boost economic demands of people squeezed, over the past years, under the sanctions pressures by the West for a number of reasons.

Although the recent historic deal between Iran and the world powers over Tehran's nuclear issue has loosened the grip on vital financial and economic institutions of the country, people are still looking for tangible impacts on their lives.

Just a few days away from the Majlis (parliament) election on Feb. 26, over 6,000 qualified candidates are trying to persuade people to vote for them by claiming that their policies are good for the economy of the country and households.

The hopefuls, to be elected by the direct vote for next four years, will compete for 290 seats in the Majlis.

The upcoming election in the Islamic republic is important in that it may alter the conservative-dominated texture of the Majlis and assembly with the moderate and reformist members.

In case the final results make a shift of the power balance in favor of President Hassan Rouhani and his domestic allies, the country should anticipate a big stride for political and economic reforms.

"We are still waiting for the benefits from the nuclear deal, which Rouhani pledged during his presidential campaign and put a stress on it after the deal was clinched in July last year," said Alireza Taban who owns a business in computer-related hardware in northern Tehran.

The next parliament should work with the government to raise the purchase power of people so that the ordinary people, as well, would be able to provide state-of-art machines and equipment for their children, he said. "People's living standards should be at the core of lawmakers' concerns," he told Xinhua on Sunday.

The words of Taban were echoed by taxi driver Nozari who believes that contemporary political scene of the country is, to a very significant extent, under the spell of "inefficient" economic performances of the politicians.

"I am in direct contact with people. They complain about inflation and unemployment in the country, and they say that the previous lawmakers and administrations have not done much to solve these problems," said Nozari.

"I lift dozens of passengers every day, and I have to work hard to cope up with the university expenses of my two children. And even if they are educated years later, they have to wait long for a decent job offer and a family. We need economic experts for Majlis and above all their word of honor vis-avis their slogans," he added.

According to the report by Kayhan daily on Feb. 19, Iran's inflation rate currently stands at 13 percent and the unemployment rate is 10 percent.

"It means that the economy is the most significant field, and that the country needs more efficient and expert parliament members to clear the current mess," the report commented.

Also, Iranian economic expert Saeed Leylaz said he believes that political factions, of either side of conservatives or reformists, have learned that the nation's economy is the most significant field.

"The current crisis in Iran is an economic one," and "Iran needs more efficient and expert parliament members," Leylaz was quoted as saying by Kayhan.

On Wednesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of "enemy plots to influence" the upcoming election. He expressed concerns that the "aristocratic" influence in the Majlis will not serve the good of the country and people.

The Iranian Majlis can draft legislation, ratify international treaties, and approve the national budget.