The goal would be a more competent team that is less under the influence of the conservatives. But it may not be easy. Khatami took 76.9 percent of the vote in Friday' s election, surpassing the strength of the 70 percent groundswell that carried him to office four years ago. On Sunday, Khatami pledged to heed the election's message, led by Iran's overwhelming bloc of young voters. The hard-liners, for the moment, had little choice but to swallow the defeat at the polls.
All authorities are highly nervous about ideological divisions spilling over into violence.
Liberal activists have been arrested, and many pro-reform newspapers shut down. Khatami's strongest weapon has been his popularity. In the latest election, Khatami's 21.6 million votes exceeded the 20 million-vote benchmark from 1997. Iran's economy is ailing despite its oil and gas fields. Foreign investors are wary and unemployment may approach 30 percent.