Jason Brodsky to VOA: Elections in the Islamic Republic are a show written by Khamenei

Jason Brodsky, head of policy at the 'United Against a Nuclear Iran' organization, told VOA's Persian section regarding the elections on March 2 that the parliament in the Islamic Republic has no independent power in foreign policy. The first elections in the Islamic Republic of Iran after the anti-government protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini in the 'Guidance Patrol' of the police will be held this Friday. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, issued orders for deadly crackdowns on Iranian protesters following those protests. Many, including children, were killed, a large number were injured, and thousands were arrested and imprisoned. The Islamic Republic has executed several protesters as well. In the elections on Friday, members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly will be elected from among the candidates approved by the Guardian Council, which is directly or indirectly determined by Ayatollah Khamenei. Jason Brodsky, who pays special attention to events in Iran, stated in a written interview with VOA about the position of the Islamic Consultative Assembly: 'The parliament of the Islamic Republic is not powerful compared to other governmental institutions in Iran. While the parliament has the ability to influence domestic issues, it has no independent power in the most sensitive cases - namely foreign policy. Its influence in these areas stems from the Speaker of the Parliament's seat on the Supreme National Security Council, but this influence is limited.' Brodsky commented on the 'real' nature of the elections in the Islamic Republic, saying that 'elections' in this governmental system are 'actually a selection process' rather than elections. He stated that elections in Iran depend on the views, tastes, and mood of the leader of the Islamic Republic, and the Guardian Council can disqualify candidates that Khamenei does not approve of. According to Brodsky, Khamenei 'has destroyed the institutions of the republic in Iran since 1989 and has concentrated power in his office.' Brodsky discussed the motivation of the Islamic Republic government for holding 'elections,' which he claims are selections rather than elections, saying: 'Despite widespread fraud in the elections and the people's disappointment with the regime, the Islamic Republic holds elections to try to legitimize itself.' Regarding Khamenei's request for people to vote after the deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran, he said: 'I think the Supreme Leader has repeatedly asked the Iranian people to vote because the regime is worried about low public participation.' Brodsky stated that elections in Iran are a show whose ending has already been determined by Khamenei, and the role of the people is merely to 'decorate the stage' of this predetermined show. According to Brodsky, the Supreme Leader 'ultimately fears the will of the people. That is why elections in the Islamic Republic are controlled.' He expressed doubt about statements from government officials like Ali Shamkhani, who say that 'polls' indicate increasing public support in Iran, suggesting they may intend to manipulate statistics. Brodsky said: 'I think Khamenei and his allies are trying to create their own alternative reality to deceive the people into voting. But the people of Iran have seen this film before - with reformists, pragmatists, and conservatives - and nothing changes. Because ultimately, the problems of the regime stem from the office of the Supreme Leader and the nature of the regime.' Regarding the opinion of Prince Reza Pahlavi, who called the elections of the Islamic Republic of Iran a 'circus' in a campaign on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Brodsky said: 'The Crown Prince is correct. This is an 'electoral circus.' Brodsky does not believe that Western governments' policies toward the Islamic Republic will change after the voting on Friday. He said that Western capitals know that the Islamic Consultative Assembly has no power and that the composition of lawmakers will not change the fundamentals of relations between Iran and the U.S. and Europe. However, he noted that Western capitals are interested in succession issues in the Islamic Republic and will closely watch the results and composition of the Assembly of Experts race. The Assembly of Experts is more significant in this round of 'selections' (and not elections) than the Islamic Consultative Assembly. As the Islamic Republic government increases its efforts to promote participation in the elections, the hashtag 'electoral circus' has become widespread, and many users on social media emphasize the necessity of not participating in it. Additionally, the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers' Trade Associations has boycotted the 'show elections' of the parliament. Some workers from Haft Tappeh reacted to the elections on March 2, stating: 'We will not participate in a bloodbath and a crime game.' The annual report from the 'Freedom House' states that the Islamic Republic is an 'autocratic regime' and Iran is an 'unfree country.'