Page 22 - Trends

Focus: Iran

Iranian politics have long been rife with corruption allegations. December saw “The trigger was supporters in Mash-
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the latest round of accusations between Ahmadinejad and the Larijani brothers. foundation managing Mashhad’s shrine
and who stood unsuccessfully in the 2017
recapitalize banks and address non-per- Rouhani also faces political prob- general election],” Saeid Golkar, visiting
forming loans should start immediately,” lems. The protests began with the prin- Assistant Professor of Politics at the Uni-
3XUÀHOG VDLG DGGLQJ WKDW WKH FRVW RI UH- ciple-ists, who have long accused the versity of Tennessee at Chattanooga, tells
capitalizing banks could be covered with Rouhani government and its supporters TRENDS. “They forwarded messages,
long-term government bond issues. of high living. including some with the emblem of the
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couraging people to demonstrate against
$5 BILLION 12.4 PERCENT 50 PERCENT poverty and high prices. But after a few
hours, they lost control and protests ap-
French oil and gas firm Total In prioritizing fiscal discipline Rouhani’s recent proposal to peared in other cities.”
reached an agreement worth to bring down inflation, Iranian raise gasoline prices by this
this amount to lead a consor- government has left percentage was another major Combating corruption
tium to develop phase 11 of unemployment rate officially bone of contention Iranian politics have long been rife with
the South Pars gas-field. at this percentage. in the protests. corruption allegations. December saw
the latest round of accusations between

22 TRENDS | February 2018