The euphoria after Iran's reformists defeated the conservative establishment was intense but short-lived. By the time most of the results were in from the parliamentary election on February 18th, the new victors were acknowledging a "heavy burden". It is one thing to seize upon a nation hungry for change; quite another to deliver the goods. The reformists aligned with President Muhammad Khatami could not have asked for a more convincing triumph. They won in the big cities across the country, including the traditionally conservative stronghold of Mashhad, home to Iran's most sacred shrine Their victory was sealed when they captured Tehran, taking 27 of its 30 seats.
展开▼
