Larijani hopes to expand his political power
Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani is trying to transform the Followers of the Leader faction into a political organization.
On the occasion of Parliament Day, Majles Speaker Ali Larijani spoke to reporters about his hope to establish a new political organization, the February 2016 elections and US-Iranian relations. Larijani said that he is trying to create a political organization out of the Followers of the Leader, a parliamentary faction. With approximately 170 members, it is the largest faction in the 290-member parliament.
The Followers hold key positions within the parliamentary leadership and on important committees. While technically a conservative group, it has supported moderate policies and has been instrumental in its backing of the administration of President Hassan Rouhani. If allowed to form a political organization, the group would have greater organizational capabilities outside parliament to recruit members, develop a leadership structure and launch its own newspapers and media outlets.
