The Face of Islamic Democracy

TEHRAN: Iranian reformers and moderate conservatives asserted Monday that they had struck a blow against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by winning most of the seats in local elections and exposing public discontent with the president's hard-line political stances and inefficient administration.

The voting for local councils represented a partial comeback for reformists, who favor closer ties with the West and a loosening of social and political restrictions under the Islamic government. In past years, hard-liners drove reformers out of the council, Parliament and finally the presidency, leaving the once popular movement demoralized.

But the victory in Friday's elections was for moderate conservatives, supporters of the cleric-led power structure who are angry at Ahmadinejad, saying he has needlessly provoked the West with his harsh rhetoric and has failed to address the faltering economy...