Call for Greater Stature for Independent Political Parties

Lawmakers underscored the need to recognize and empower independent political parties, describing it as essential to restoring the public trust.
"The more recognition the system has for parties, the more thriving and dynamic they will become and that, in turn, will help win the trust of the people," Alireza Rahimi said in a talk with ICANA on Friday.
Lamenting that Iran's political landscape has not been conducive for nascent parties to survive and thrive, Rahimi said, "Parties can freely register but rarely have they been able to grow into a national network by conducting large-scale recruitment throughout the country."
In Iran's political landscape, politicians are mainly split between two groupings, namely conservatives and reformists, with moderates close to President Hassan Rouhani leaning to the latter.
The support by reformists has been instrumental in Rouhani's victories in the two last presidential polls. 
They could also garner many seats in the latest parliamentary elections in 2016, although short of having an outright majority.