Wilayi Independents
{{Short description|Parliamentary group in Iran}}
{{Infobox parliamentary group
| logo =
| name = Wilayi Independents fraction
| chamber = {{nowrap|Islamic Consultative Assembly}}
| legislature = 10th
| foundation = 20 July 2016{{citation|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/46772/new-majlis-faction-imprudent-unethical|title= New Majlis Faction Imprudent, Unethical|work=Financial Tribune|date=2 August 2016|access-date=25 December 2019}}
| dissolution =
| parties =
| leader = Ali Larijani
| president = Kazem Jalali {{small|(2016–19)}}
Gholam Ali Jafarzadeh {{small|(2019–20)}}
}}
The Wilayi Independents ({{langx|fa|مستقلین ولایی}}) is a parliamentary group in the 10th legislature of the Islamic Republic of Iran, unofficially led by Ali Larijani.{{citation|url=http://irdiplomacy.ir/en/news/1969242/has-the-honeymoon-between-reformists-and-moderate-principlists-come-to-an-end-|title=Has the Honeymoon between Reformists and Moderate Principlists Come to an End?|date=28 May 2017|access-date= 29 December 2019|work=Iranian Diplomacy}} The faction was chaired by Kazem Jalali,{{citation|url=https://al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/11/iran-parliament-vote-of-confidence-rouhani-ministers.html|title=Iran's parliament shows its true colors|work=Al-Monitor|date=4 November 2016|access-date=25 May 2017|author=Rohollah Faghihi}} who was succeeded by Gholam Ali Jafarzadeh.{{citation|url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/152608/US-meddling-among-reasons-of-internet-blackout-in-Iran-MP|title=US meddling among reasons of internet blackout in Iran: MP|work=Mehr News Agency|date=24 November 2019|access-date=25 December 2019}}
Though a minority with an estimated 80 members,{{citation|author=Caitlin Shayda Pendleton |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/iran-2016-elections-tracker-parliament-and-the-assembly-of-experts/iran-elections-tracker-updates-and-analysis|title=Iran 2016 Elections Tracker: Parliament and the Assembly of Experts|publisher=AEI Critical Threats Project|date=31 May 2016|access-date=3 March 2017}} the group is believed to have an advantage in the parliament by shaping a minority influence situation.
Composition
In the beginning, the reformists whose list elected 125 candidates to the parliament, expected the moderate independents to join them on a majority faction with about 169 members.{{citation|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/40766/pro-gov-t-forces-seek-169-strong-parliamentary-faction|title=Pro-Gov't Forces Seek 169-Strong Parliamentary Faction |work=Financial Tribune|date=2 May 2016|access-date=25 December 2019}} However, after the parliament was opened many of them broke away and created a new faction in the parliament along with some conservative rivals and independents to "pursue a moderate agenda".{{citation|url=https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/46611/majlis-splinter-group-will-erode-public-trust|title=Majlis Splinter Group Will Erode Public Trust|work=Financial Tribune|date=31 July 2016|access-date=25 December 2019}} Members of the parliament who were elected by List of Hope backing, and joined the group instead of Hope fraction, were accused of "opportunism".
See also
- Followers of Wilayat fraction (2012–2016), its spiritual predecessor in the previous term
References
{{reflist}}
{{Iran-poli-stub}}
Category:Iranian Parliament fractions