Ahmadinejad goes to parliament for inauguration

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is going to parliament to be sworn in for a second term as Iranian president.

But the controversy over the election that put him there has left him looking awkward and isolated even among Iran’s conservative hardliners.

And, as he takes the oath of office, two prominent opponents have made promises of their own – to maintain the campaign against his re-election.

The demonstrations against what the opposition see as a rigged vote manifested themselves in continued street protests – demonstrations that began with at least 20 deaths – and led to around 100 reformists facing charges in court of trying to foment a revolution.

Ahmadinejad’s election in June unleashed the worst unrest in Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Video pictures posted on the internet two days ago, appear to show the appetite for protest has dwindled little.

There were anti-Ahmadinejad demonstrations on the streets of Berlin, with banners calling on him to stand down.

The White House in Washington said it recognised Ahmadinejad as the elected leader but like Britain, France, Italy and Germany, has no intention of congratulating him.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Elections, Iran