WORLD : Rafsanjani Reelected as Speaker
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TEHRAN — Hojatoleslam Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the most powerful clerics in Iran, was reelected Speaker of the Parliament today with a strong vote indicating he has the support of both moderate and hard-line groups.
In a secret ballot in the 270-member Majlis, Rafsanjani received 230 votes from 241 deputies present, the official Islamic Republic News Agency said. One deputy voted against him and 10 abstained, it said.
The vote indicated Rafsanjani, considered a pragmatist, has the support of moderate and hard-line factions among Iran’s ruling clergy. He is the only candidate for the August presidential election.
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