Ahmadinejad challenged for control of Iran's economy (Guardian)

[Eugene]

Ahmadinejad challenged for control of Iran's economy


· Rafsanjani says his rival has failed to enact reforms
· Row erupts after supreme leader shores up president

Robert Tait in Tehran
Wednesday March 7, 2007
The Guardian

The bitter rivalry between Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and
the country's leading elder statesman has erupted into a public struggle
for control over economic policy.

Hashemi Rafsanjani, the president's most influential opponent, set the
scene for a power struggle by telling Iranian journalists that Mr
Ahmadinejad's "trial period is over". He said he would use his position
as head of the expediency council, a state body empowered to set the
Islamic regime's long-term goals, to reshape the government's economic
policies.

The comments are the clearest sign yet of Mr Rafsanjani's revived political
clout and follow widespread discontent with Mr Ahmadinejad's economic
policies, which have resulted in rising inflation and high unemployment.

They came after Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, made a conciliatory
gesture toward Mr Ahmadinejad after appearing ready to withdraw support
in the face of rising public criticism of the president. In an act that
bolstered Mr Ahmadinejad's position, Mr Khamenei last week appointed
two of the president's allies to the expediency council to replace two
supporters of Mr Rafsanjani.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2027929,00.html