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Hossein Mohammadi

In an exclusive interview with Rooz, former MP in the seventh Majlis (2004 to 2008) ‎Ismail Gherami Moghadam belonging to Etemad Melli (National Trust) party spoke ‎about the party lead by prominent Iranian politician Mehdi Karubi. Read on for the ‎details.‎

Rooz (R): Under what conditions can the elections to the eight Majlis (2008 – 2012) be ‎viewed as competitive?‎

Ismail Gherami Moghadam (IGM): If there is competition for the 290 Majlis seats and ‎we can provide a list of 290 candidates, we would call the elections competitive, i.e. if ‎our candidates who have been disqualified are allowed to participate in the elections. ‎

R: How do plan to proceed in places where you have no candidates?‎

IGM: We shall only provide a list of candidates in places where we can do this. We shall ‎not provide any lists in other places and we shall announce that we are not in a position to ‎provide such a list.‎

R: What about places where Etemad Melli has no candidates but other reformist ‎candidates have been approved to run?‎

IGM: We shall support the reformist candidates. This has been our practice. If we have a ‎candidate we shall support him, otherwise we shall support coalition candidates.‎

R: Some people do not interpret Mr. Karubi’s comments to be in the interests of other ‎reformist groups. What is your opinion on this?‎

IGM: I do not respond to divisive questions.‎